AN AMERICAN
STUDENT'S PRAYER
BY KELLY COGHLAN
“In God We Trust” is printed on every U.S. coin and dollar
bill—and today, Lord, we likewise acknowledge that we not only
believe in you God, but we trust you. We trust you with our lives,
with the lives of those we love, and with our futures.
The truth that we are “One Nation under God” is affirmed in
the Pledge of Allegiance and recited in every public school—and
today, Lord, we likewise acknowledge that you are above all and that
we are answerable to you individually and as a Nation.
And as the Supreme Court and every other federal court in
America open each day with the prayerful plea, “God, save the United
States and this Honorable Court”—we likewise pray that you save the
United States and our public schools.
In light of these often repeated truths for which this
Country stands, we acknowledge you as our God, and ask your
blessing, guidance, and protection on our schools, our friends, our
families, and on this Nation.
God,……bless America. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Why does this
prayer end "in Jesus' name"?
Not every American student is Christian, so, not all will end
this prayer “in Jesus’ name.” But why do Christians?
The
phrase, "in Jesus’ name," is not a tag line intended to proselytize
or to offend Jews, Moslems, atheists, or others but is said to
comply with a basic tenant of the Christian faith:
John 16:24,26:
[Jesus said,] "Until now you have asked for nothing in My
name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be made
full....In that day you will ask in My name...." John
14:13,14: [Jesus said,] "And whatever you ask in My name
that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If
you ask anything in My name, I will do it." John
15:16: [Jesus said,] "... so that whatever you ask of the
Father in My name, He may give it to you." Colossians
3:17: "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God
the Father." Acts 3:6: "I do not possess silver and
gold, but what I do have, I give to you: "In the name of
Jesus Christ the Nazarene--walk!" Acts 4:12: "And
there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name
under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be
saved." John 12:32: [Jesus said,] "If I be lifted up,
I will draw all men to myself."
Prohibiting a Christian from ending a prayer “in Jesus’ name”
would not only cause the person to violate his or her conscience
but would cause the individual to violate a basic commandment of
his or her faith.
If
someone prays in the name of "Allah" or "Jesus" or "The Lord God of
Israel," and the listener is a non-adherent to the particular name,
the listener may believe that the person has prayed to nothing.
How can one logically be offended if they believe someone has spoken
to the air? There are many children who believe in Santa Claus
and tell others of their faith in and petitions to him. Does
this offend anyone? A reasoned reaction might be amusement,
but not insult. The same should be true concerning religious
expression. Another's prayer should offend no one any more
than a child's heart-felt proclamation: "Santa Claus is coming
to town." A sincere prayer is not intended to offend but
rather to honor God and seek protection and blessing for believers
and non-believers alike. The idea of a person being offended
by the expression of another's sincere prayer may simply be a
euphemism for intolerance.
ŠKC94-07
