No Prayer at Graduation? They Pray Anyway
Posted by Terry White on June 30, 2009
This is an excerpt from a letter to the editor about reaction to outlawed prayer at the graduation exercises at Kittanning (PA) high school. To read the entire letter, click here.
After being told that no prayer could be said during the graduation — but that they could have a “moment of silent reflection” — two young ladies from the junior class arranged a prayer meeting before the commencement service in the senior parking lot, situated in the church parking lot adjacent to the school. They asked Pastor Dave Blevins of North Buffalo Grace Brethren Church to join in prayer with those who would come.
Much to everyone’s amazement, this impromptu prayer meeting was a huge success. Although no official head count was made, there were more than 100 in attendance. These people made a circle, held hands and said several prayers. It was a blessing to all who attended.
But it didn’t stop there. During the commencement exercise, the “moment of silent reflection” turned into the class of 2009 reciting “The Lord’s Prayer.” The class was joined by the faculty, band and the audience.
During his speech, the salutatorian sneezed and the class yelled, “God Bless You.” The Class of 2009 kept the Lord in their graduation service and for that, they will be truly blessed.
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That's super neat! Instead of just complaining about the school preventing praying, which only angers the administration more, these students took a stand… which is neat! Are any of these kids headed out to Grace College in the fall?
I think it's WAY COOL that the salutatorian sneezed! Was he a believer and intentionally doing that so that God be glorified? Or was it impromptu, and yet another opportunity that a class focused on Christ took to show God's love?
Maybe these questions are mentioned in that article, which I will read following a walk, but that is awesome… forward this on to Pastor Larry McCall… he's from that area I think.
I think this is what students need to do in response to the issue of praying in school. Find times before school to pray, and after school too, wrapping the day in prayer, and also, much as these kiddos did… look for moments, gifts of opportunities, from the Lord, during the day, when God's name can be praised! I would love it if somebody would have the moment of silence with the whole class, band, faculty and audience saying the Lord's prayer! That would be the coolest moment of "silence" ever!