Is it appropriate to study the lords prayer in school?
921749
First of all -- I take it your child is in a public school! So then the answer depends on the context that the Lord's Prayer was presented. If they have been told to memorize this because it is a prayer to God, then it could be construed as a violation of church and state. \n\nIt could also be that they are examining the various winter festivities of various cultures and your child may come home with a dreidel tomorrow and the next day some Kwanzaa fabric.\n\nBut if they are studying the Lord's Prayer as a foundation on which our culture bases its morals, then that would be no different than an examination of the 10 Commandments, Hammurabi's Code of Laws or even the principles upon which Buddhism or Islam are based. These are all examples of older cultures trying to get a handle on the basic rules by which we should live and treat others.\n\nSo it boils down to the context it was presented and then if you really have a problem with the school trying to introduce children to something they may not be getting at home. (I only mention this last part because as a regular volunteer at my children's school, I am constantly appalled at the behavior of some children that you can tell they get no guidance at home, whatsoever!)
878862
Under what circumstances?  The answer is likely "no," but the body of law dealing with the "Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment (known by most people as the "separation of church and state") is extremely fact specific and under a greate deal of flux right now.\nIf it's explicitly Christian religious music, ordered to be played by school officials (and not the students) in front of a mandatory meeting of the student body, it's probably not constitutional (that would be an "endorsement" of religion, or "coercion" to a particular religion).  However, a slight change in any one of those facts changes the analysis.  \nFurther, the fact that you're talking about a university, and not a junior high or high school (where students are expected to follow orders, listen to their teachers, and have not had a well-developed analytical mind) makes a HUGE difference.  Generally, religious clubs, discussions, demonstrations, etc., are tolerated (and perhaps encouraged) at this level (although I'd say that a school-mandated prayer at graduation would probably still be unconstitutional).
1154454
Different versions?  Are you referring to the Scriptural text itself, or to explanations of it?  I'm assuming the latter.\n\nThe Bible's view is discussed & backed up w/ several Scripture references in both of these articles\n(Catholic Douay is referred to also):\n\nHow Should We Pray to God? ("The Lord's Prayer")\nhttp://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1996/7/15/how_should_we_pray.htm\n\nSearch for God With Your Heart and Mind : \n... [Scroll down to]: Understanding the Lord's Prayer\nhttp://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/4/1/article_02.htm\n\n"Make Sure of All things; Hold Fast to what is Fine!" 1 Th 5:21
1180709
"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.\nGive us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.\nLead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen."\n\nIt's called the Lord's prayer, it was a guide given to us by Jesus to show us how to pray. For example, "our daily bread" could be praying for all the things we want and need from God.\n\nIf you ever want to look up a certain verse, biblegateway.com has a passage lookup or keyword search. =)
694045
Yes. Jesus. Read The Torah, Psalms, Proverbs, and the NT and see the promises of wealth, health, power, and joy for those that love, follow and believe the LORD and how to get it.  All that you're looking for is there.  Let the Holy Spirit be your teacher.
1037314
I pray that the Lord answers each and everyone of your prayers. I pray that you begin to see victory in every aspect of your life. I pray that God will use you in a mighty way in your classroom and that you leave a lasting impact on your children. I pray that Jesus will bring deliverance to your best friend and they she will see the light through your obedience in Christ Jesus. I pray that God's will be done on this earth. I pray that you learn to acknowledge God in all your paths and that you and him have an unbreakable relationship. I hope that he leads and guides you into all truth and that the favor and righteousness of Christ is upon you. I pray that you have a sound mind and a garment of praise. I pray that God will deliver your brother from all evil and save his soul. I pray that the Lord shows you what to pray in Jesus name the only name. Amen
536270
I agree with Meg. Before you start, pray that you'll be able to focus on what you are studying. Without prayers, you'll never have the strength to concentrate on it.
995281
that is a good question, it alright to study the bible, but God does not want up to be fighting with one another and downing each other,
329811
Absolutely!!!! He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If God be for me , who can be against me. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Praise His Holy Name.
887394
Cautious.  I would feel the need to learn more about the Bible "study".  Too often such "study" is an indoctrination session with carefully selected passages, a strictly managed curriculum and little opportunity for meaningful discussion.  I don't mind having selections pre-chosen but if only pre-anticipated questions and pre-packaged answers are allowed, I won't last long.  I prefer a free-wheeling, multi-dimensional discussion of the whole reading: text, context, intent, cultural background, comparisons to similar passages, theological issues, application to real life, but not a spoon-fed "explanation".  \n\nAlternately, I could go for a slow prayerful, line-by-line, spontaneous hear-and-respond session.  Such "shared prayer" provides an unrehearsed spritual opportunity that can shake loose some surprising insights.
654669
Absolutely not. \n\nLet me put it this way. Who's religious belief is right? \n\nIf you can answer that question, then we can have prayer in schools. If not, then you can begin to figure out why there is no prayer in school. \n\nSee, if the state begins to determine what prayers can be prayed in public school, then the state makes an endorsement of a particular religion. From there, the state gets more involved in the politics of religion. \n\nNow, the last thing you want is the government telling you how you should or shouldn't pray, right? \n\nLet me go a step further. Let's say we go with the fact that 90% of Americans believe in God. So, you say "Hey, we can just pray to a generic god. Then nobody's discriminated against." (Except the 10%, of course.)\n\nExcept, praying to a generic god is a sin. You pray to the one true god, otherwise, you're really ticking god off. Besides, Christians are pretty fond of Jesus and would get really ticked at keeping him out of prayers, don't you think?\n\nSo, we have to make a choice. Who's religion is the right one? Well, Christians outnumber everybody else by a wide margin in the US, guess we'll make Christiantiy the de facto religion of the US. (85% of believers are Christians of some form or another in the US. So we take 85% of the 90%)\n\nExcept, which version of Christianity is the right one? Do we have Catholic mass? Do we have have Baptismal hymnals? What about those who refuse to engage in the prayer? Will there be repercussions? (You bet there will be by those who do pray versus those who don't.)\n\nOK. You might say I'm complicating the problem, but I'm not. Essentially, we have a separation of church and state to avoid internal conflict in the country over who's religious belief is the correct one. We also, don't want a government telling us who to worship and how to worship. (Living in a religion dominated society is called, theocracy. See the Middle East for what our lives would be like if we had a church dominated government.)\n\nKeeping prayer out of schools and government allows us to live in a country where we have religious freedom. The freedom to worship as we choose of our own free will.\n\nIn other words nobody is penalized for not being of the "correct" faith. Everybody has the freedom to worship without government oversight and being bullied by social pressures. Nobody is at risk of the majority telling them how to live. \n\nAmerica is about freedom. Freedom from government endorsed religion is a good thing.\n\nHope that makes sense.
983889
Recently I decided to read the New Testament and then the Old Testament to make sure I had read the entire bible.\n\nUsually though I take the approach that I pray before I read and let the Holy Spirit guide me.\n\nThere are so many ways to approach it and I don't think there are any wrong ways.\n\nThe main thing to me is to pray and ask God to speak to me through His word.
579324
Yes, in our democratic society, it is hard.  One of the founding principles in this country is the separation of church and state.  One argument in favor of prayer in schools is that studies show that prayer, meditation, or some other form of silent reflection help people to focus and stay on task, and as a teacher, I can testify (no pun intended) that staying on task is one of the hardest things any student can be asked to do.  \n\nHow can we justify prayer in schools, though?  That's a real toughie.  You could allow for "moments of self-reflection" or set aside time for journal writing (many schools have DEAR time-- Drop Everything And Read-- when students must devote 30 minutes to reading at the end of the school day).  But if you call that moment of silence "prayer time" you are treading on thin ice.  No one can force anyone to pray.  It cannot be mandatory.  Nor would a true Christian want someone to be mandated to pray, because God wants people to come to Him freely.
181062
Yes.  My high school distributed copies of the ten commandments and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  These were generally effective means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and STD's.
371137
Ask God for spiritual protection.  Just rattling of the Lord's prayer won't do anything because you need a prayer of faith, not a go to prayer of tradition.  The Lord's prayer is a model of how to pray, not the only thing you should pray.  also, Jesus never said "say this prayer when you are under spiritual oppression."  when it happens to you next time, pray in the way Jesus did when he drove out demons.  rebuke the demon, tell Him you belong to Jesus and tell him in the name of Christ to leave you.  Ask God for an angel to protect you and guard you.  Also, youre not being attacked because you didnt go to a church service, God isn't punishing you.  Remember, God is greater than the devil, just rely on Him and youll be fine.
180458
It depends on what you mean by pray.I keep talking to God throught the day like hes my friend which he is.I do read the Bible everyday.
742664
Nothing wrong with praying for our leaders.\n\nPrayer helps in many ways, plus I'm sure they would appreciate it!