Every year, our president proclaims the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer. This year, the National Day of Prayer Task Force has chosen the theme of Unity, based on Ephesians 4:3: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
As the National Day of Prayer is codified in Federal law passed by Congress, it is legal and appropriate for you to discuss with your students in public school. As you do, avoid leading your students to pray, remembering that public schools and public school teachers should be neutral regarding religion.
President Trump will issue a presidential proclamation next week which you can read to your students. Look for it at Whitehouse.gov.
You might say something like this to your class: “Each year on the first Thursday of May, Congress and our President ask all Americans to pray for our nation. People of many different faiths pray, and it’s not required that we do so. But why do you think our government is asking us to pray?”
You may also mention some well-known times in our history that presidents and other leaders have called on Americans to pray, e.g. the Constitutional Convention (Ben Franklin), the Civil War, D-Day, and the Apollo 13 mission.
If challenged by parents, parents, or administrators about the separation of church and state, you might respond that you personally are not directing students to pray. Students are obviously free to not pray, or pray in accordance with any religion of their choice. You are merely bringing to their attention current and historical events. As a result, there is no establishment of religion. (Read more here about religion in public schools.) If you do have any complaints, be sure to contact us for guidance.
Also, consider organizing your colleagues to meet for prayer before or after school. It is legal to pray with other adults on your campus before or after your contract time, or at lunch. You can also find a local observance near you!
As a member of the National Prayer Committee, I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. next week to be part of the National Day of Prayer Observance. Know that I will be praying for you from the U.S. Capitol! The National Observance will be livestreamed from the National Day of Prayer website.
May the prayers of the faithful be heard all across our nation next Thursday, May 3!
Blessings,
David Schmus
Executive Director
Christian Educators Association International
NDP Promo from Cross Church on Vimeo.