The Supreme Court did not forbid individual students from praying in school. Such a prohibition would probably be futile, anyway. I remember an old joke that wisely observes that as long as there are Algebra tests there will be prayer in school. More recent cases have also ruled that it is alright for students to meet together in the school building, outside of class time, in order to pray and have Bible study. The students must initiate and lead the group themselves to avoid the appearance that the school endorses a particular religious group. So, prayer has not been totally banned in school and we should encourage our young people to take advantage of the rights they DO have to pray.
Although, we may have differing feelings on the prayer in school issue, Christians cannot disagree on the importance of prayer in the life of the believer. The Apostle Paul writes: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6, 7)."
The power of prayer is also praised by James (5: 16): "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
In September of 2002 Saline County will host a Celebration featuring All-Pro football player Bill Glass. If the Celebration is to be successful and if our churches are to grow stronger and more effective, you can be sure that prayer will be at the heart of it.
That's why the organizers have scheduled a "prayer summit" to prepare for the Celebration. It will be hosted by the First Baptist Church of Marshall on June 11th and will feature Bill Murray as it's keynote speaker. Yes, that's the same Bill Murray whose famous atheist mom brought the lawsuit against prayer in school in 1963. Perhaps his presence at such a Christian gathering is one of the best endorsements one might find for the power of prayer.