Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1990

To Pray or Not to Pray: An Observation on Christian Prayer in the Public School System
Ron LeClair

Christians everywhere are tested many times by a variety of "examiners." That is, sometimes, in their day to day lives, they encounter a challenge that causes their whole being, body and soul, to vibrate intensely. One such momentous encounter in British Columbia was the initial dialogue and argument concerning the removal of the Lord's Prayer from the public schools. Many Christians viewed this as an affront to Christianity and took it very personally. This is still very much a moot question in British Columbia but, I think, cooler heads have begun to prevail. Now, as Christians, we must try to put this discussion into the context of God's plan, not man's.

Not everyone in Canadian society is a Christian, let alone a professed believer in God. So, obviously, one can imagine the many arguments people have used either pro or contra to the question of prayer in the public school. But, on the pro side of this question, I have observed an unrelenting use of the rhetorical question: "Was Canada not established on Christian principles?" Time and time again, through personal communication or letters to the editors of various newspapers this defense is foremost.

Of course, when I first heard of the demise of Christian prayer in the public school system, I responded with similar overtures. But, the more I pondered the question of Christian principles as the foundation for Canadian Culture the more I realized how narrow this perspective was. It only represented a European point of view.

Truthfully, Canada would be a great nation indeed if all its people were Christian today. Unfortunately, the facts dictate realistically that a totally Christian nation is a future fait accompli. But the word future must not deter us one step from our goal. Every generation of Christians must continue to build, brick by brick, the foundation of a Christian Canada. Tactically, toward this end, the removal of the Lord's Prayer from the public schools in B.C. is a minor setback but, it does not demand or deserve a lack of Christian ethics in a discussion of this decision.

Let us remember that if we choose to accept our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins, we accept His teachings and should strive in our imperfect way to emulate Him. In this respect we show love, patience, understanding and a certain tolerance toward the secular world. Also, we pray for the secular world as Jesus taught us to pray. Therefore, if we try to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we lead by example.

As a teacher in the public school system, I am aware of an educational emphasis toward openness and communication. This emphasis abhors discrimination thereby giving everyone the opportunity to display moral and/ or ethical values. So, I have more opportunity to win souls for Christ by my example than by forcing a classroom representing various religions to recite the Lord's Prayer.

Let us not forget that the children in our public schools reflect Canada's immigration policy. This policy is a reaching out to God's people around the world. This policy promises His people justice and freedom to choose. Consequently, Canada is a multi-cultural nation encompassing many religions. Canada is a melting pot of diversity. And, in my estimation, as a nation, it is the patience and understanding derived from this heterogeneous nature which gives Canada strength.

As Christians it is sometimes very difficult to see another point of view. We know we are right and we cannot understand sometimes, why others cannot accept Jesus Christ as readily as ourselves. This point of view is often part of the problem because often we try to force others to accept our beliefs. Perhaps, we need to be more aware of our methods and techniques as salespeople for Christ. Perhaps, more introspection of our own lifestyles is required. Maybe, we have to ask ourselves some questions before we find the right answer. For example: Are we trying to be examples of the life of Christ? Have we diverged from the simplistic lifestyle of Jesus and the first fathers of the early Church? Are we demanding to set the standards for moral behaviour but do not perpetuate them in a responsible way? We know that Christianity is forever. Since Jesus Christ, its Origin, its ideals have not changed. Perhaps, now is the time to journey back, closer to the Origin, back nineteen hundred years, to remind ourselves what a Christian should be. Here is a description from a letter written to Diognetes, a writer in the early Church in the second century:

The Christians are distinguished from the other men neither by country or language, nor the customs which they observe.... As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet ensure all things as if foreigners.... They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh.... They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their own lives. They love all men and are persecuted by all.... They are poor, yet make many rich.

Do your efforts measure up to these words?

It is interesting to note that in the Gospels, where we find the commissioning, Jesus tells us why and what to do to evangelize but gives us no particular methodology toward this end. Therefore, in order to evangelize there are methods or techniques which could be employed not the least of which is by personal example. In this context we may also include a review of our family structure and interpersonal behaviour. This may lead to a reevaluation of priorities especially if we realize that Jesus is not number one in our lives. Logically, if Christ is not number one in our lives, it is impossible to lead by Christian example.

Thus, I fail to see the loss of the Lord's Prayer in the public school system as the disastrous affront to Christianity which many Christians in B.C. deem it to be. It is only the failure! of one technique or methodology by which we can reach God's people. The words to Diognetes spirit my motives. The solution to not having Christian prayer in the public school system is in each and everyone of us. We must strengthen our family bonds, attend a church of our choice and try to uphold the moral and ethical laws which bind us firstly, to God and secondly, to mankind, thereby letting it be seen, not just heard, that Jesus Christ is number one.

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