Prayer in public schools is legal
“Student request started SchoolPrayer”
Prayer in public schools is legal
“Student request started SchoolPrayer”
Thanks to a comment from one of our students and my acceptance of the challenge, SchoolPrayer became a reality. During a visit after a youth group gathering, a student expressed their desire to feel the same fullness of faith in school. I responded with a simple question, “Why can’t we?”. The student was surprised by a teacher’s commitment to this idea, and truthfully, I wasn’t entirely sure where this path would lead.
The following day, I discussed the idea with the school superintendent, who offered support but emphasized the need to insure its legality. After consulting with the school’s attorney, I received the green light, with one condition: our sessions must conclude by 7:45 am, the official start of my workday as per my contract.
So, we began announcing to the students that we could gather before school between 7:30 to 7:45. Initially, we had a consistent attendance of 8-10 students each morning. Over time, through word of mouth, our numbers have grown to over 30 some mornings.
Creating an environment where students, as well as myself, could begin the day focused on what truly matters has been a profound blessing. It is not a mere task: it has become an integral part of my daily routine that I eagerly anticipate and deeply appreciate. I wholeheartedly encourage others to embrace this challenge. Requesting the first 15 minutes of our school day to be dedicated to the Lord is a worthy endeavor; He deserves that and so much more. I am confident that, like me, you will come to see it as a true blessing.
God Bless,
Scott Peterson (The teacher who facilitated the start of SchoolPrayer)
Student Testimonials
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My name is Jaylin, I am in 8th grade. I go to Lemmon High School along with my friends. Every morning me and my friends go to Mr. Petersons room to start our day off the right way. When I walk in there, I know it’s going to be a good day. We start off with writing prayer requests on a piece of paper then we put it into what we call our prayer box. Then, at 7:40 Mr. Peterson closes the door and shares an encouraging word from the lord. Lastly, we pray over the box and over ourselves. After I leave the room, I feel an ultimate peace over me, and I know it’s from the Lord. Starting my day off with people that love the Lord like I do makes me know that I am not alone. I used to have a lot of anxiety and feeling lonely and depressed in school, but after we started meeting in the morning I have learned that I am not alone. I feel that having an older role model in the school that feels the same way I do about the Lord, and who would be willing to use their own time to teach us the word is very special. I know that we need to bring God back into the schools, he longs to pour his heart into our lives but we are not willing to pour it out to him. In conclusion, I feel more schools should have a person that would pray with the kids; and a person who would even just encourage them to keep going.
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Mornings are really hard for me, I just can’t find a reason to get up and get ready for school. When Mr. P shared with the youth of my church that he would start a prayer group that met every morning, I was overjoyed. It means a lot to me that one of our teachers would care enough about us to make sure we start our day on the right foot. Prayer has been a solid foundation for me and I have always tried to start my day with prayer, but with this group, I have the ability to do it every day. This group has allowed my days to be so much brighter. My confidence and faith in the Lord are at their peak.
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The morning prayer we hold at school has been the highlight of many days for me. It is great to start the day praying with others that have the same intentions to glorify God. It also is a way we can have others pray for us and gather together to pray for strength to minister to others in our school.
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Why is starting off your day with prayer so beneficial? It’s because you’re starting the day off talking to your father. God should be in your life all the time but when your day starts off connected with him you’ll genuinely be a calmer person. The day will seem manageable because your focus is on him and nothing else. It has helped me so much with my anxiety and the stresses of school. I’ve seen such an improvement in my attitude as well. I know God is working on the prayers we place in the prayer box and I have peace knowing they will come to pass in his perfect timing. I highly recommend starting your day off speaking to the Lord. Plus, it could touch someone else in the school who sees what is happening around them.
Prayer in Public School is Legal
Prayer Meetings in Public School Are Legal. SchoolPrayer has met legally in Lemmon Public School since September 2022. Your local school district and school administration policies will determine the specifics of what SchoolPrayer is permitted to do in your school. SchoolPrayer advocates maintaining a positive relationship with school administrators and respecting the administration’s responsibility to protect our students.
The legal basis for prayer in public school is derived from the 2023 US Department of Education guidance on prayer, the Equal Access Act of 1984, and a lawsuit-Wigg v. Sioux Falls School Dist 49-5
Prayer in public schools must be voluntary and held during the free time of students and teachers. Prayer in public schools is possible either as a Community Group or as a School Club. If your school district allows other Community Groups or other extra-curricular School Clubs, the school district should allow SchoolPrayer meetings in a similar fashion.
SchoolPrayer meetings only take 15 minutes. When starting SchoolPrayer one will need to determine your school district policies. For more details on starting SchoolPrayer please go to “How to Start SchoolPrayer”.