Christians: Does the Bible support prayer in schools?

Question

Well, I guess my question says it all...

When answering, can you please give a verse reference? It would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Considering most schooling in the times of the Biblical era were IN the temples (reference Jesus discussing the Torah with the holy men when he was 12), the implication might be clear that, yes the Bible would support prayer in schools.

However, public schools weren't around then, AND the Bible also says to give Caesar what is Caesar's. Our current interpretation of our Constitution is that the public should be free from the constraints of religion.

I have had a similar conversation with my own Episcopal priest, explaining my position against prayer in schools, because the public school system is set up for, and run by a myriad of different cultures, religions, moral outlooks, and some just plain Kooks! I do NOT want my children, grandchildren or yours either dumped into a forum in which I have no control over the content of what they are being taught. Anything verbal AT ALL in the school system would have some slant to it. And, the slant would have to be offensive, probably, to a large percentage. If any sort of religion were actually taught in the public school system, that could be absolute disaster at this point in time.

We have Christians of ALL persuasions, Jews, Muslims, Agnostics, Atheists, Witches and Warlocks, and representatives from every thinking under the sun teaching school. Let's pray at HOME with the kids, and teach them their religion at home and in our places of worship.

Answer 2

Not only does the Bible support prayer in school, but so does the Constitution.
Unless, of course, you think the First Amendment doesn't apply to Christians?
Verses you have already been given. I especially like Bonsai Bobby's verse about how to raise children.
Now let's think about this, really, really, really hard.
What changed, when public prayer was taken out of school?

(hint) It wasn't the cirriculum...evolution was taught in science class even that long ago. Funny that no Christian parents seemed to be raising much hell about it then, isn't it?

OK..you need a bit more help. Have you ever watched any re-runs from the fifties or early sixties? Like Leave It To Beaver, or My Three Sons, for instance? Boring, are they? Not enough "excitement"? What's missing?
Or, have you ever watched "Happy Days"??
Can you imagine Fonzie, the bad boy, ever shooting up the high school?
Can you even imagine The Fonze as a "bad boy"????

Answer 3

The bible supports everywhere

John 3-16

Answer 4

The Bible supports prayer everywhere and anywhere.

As "in schools" falls within that criteria, I'd say "Yes."

Answer 5

The Bible doesn't necessarily tell us that we MUST pray at school, but it certainly doesn't tell us that we MUST NOT pray at school.

I pray at school because Paul said, "Pray continually." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

EDIT: Shalvia makes a great point. I think Romans 13 is the source.

Answer 6

1 Thess 5:17 pray without ceasing;

Answer 7

The bible says to assemble yourselves together.
Jesus told us where two or more are gathered in his name, he will be there also.
Asking schools to agree in prayer considering all the different practices might be a stretch right now..........

Answer 8

The Bible doesn't say "pray in school" specifically. But it says to spread the word. So yah, that could count schools too. Everywhere man.

Answer 9

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing". Yep, I guess it does.

Answer 10

I Thessalonians 5:17 states, "Pray without ceasing." So that would mean also in school, whenever you are there.