Barbour and Eaves on Prayer

In a press release on Sept 25th, Governor Haley Barbour officially proclaimed “See You at the Pole” Day as the fourth Wednesday in September, which falls on September 26 this year. I want to commend the Governor for this action.

The Governor is quoted as saying: “This proclamation recognizes the importance of allowing our students to come together in celebration of their faith and religious convictions,” Governor Barbour said. “As a Christian, I’m proud to set aside this special day of prayer and I look forward to standing with Mississippi students as they embrace their rights to engage in appropriate, religious activity on school grounds.”

At first I thought this was a great statement then it hit me "their rights to engage in "appropriate" , religious activity on school grounds." It's appropriate for students to meet once a year and pray outside (like a bunch of smokers at work) around the flag pole but not in the classroom 10 minutes daily.

I'm sure this stems from the Governors' Debate in which John Eaves explained his plan for voluntary, student-led school prayer. The Governor proclaimed voluntary, student-led school prayer as unconstitutional and he didn't want to fight for it for fear we would lose the rights we do have.

Governor Barbour, I want to let you in on a secret, we have already lost our Christian rights! Thanks to men too afraid to fight. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". I've read both the United States' constitution and the Mississippi state constitution and have found nothing that says we can't not set aside 10 minutes per day in our public schools for students to pray if they choose. In fact Sec 18 of the Mississippi constitution reads "The rights hereby secured shall not be construed...to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this state."

John Eaves is calling for voluntary, student-led school prayer every day, not just once a year during "See You at the Pole" day.

John Eaves is quoted as saying, "For nearly 200 years, our country had prayer in its schools," said Eaves. "Today, Mississippi has the highest high school dropout rate in the nation, and our children face a learning environment that fails to instill in them a respect for themselves, their peers, and their teachers. I believe we should have voluntary prayer in our schools for children of all faiths every day, and as Governor I know I can bring it back in way that is both constitutional and right for all of our children."

Eaves says he would work with the state board of education and local school boards to create a policy that sets aside 10 minutes every day before school for students to voluntarily discuss ethics, morality, faith, and prayer. The plan does not require prayer, but rather designates time every day for students to exercise their constitutional rights.

If we can set aside 30 minutes for lunch for a physical need there is no reason why we can't set aside 10 minutes for our children's spiritual needs.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER REVIVAL

Paul Ott sent me the following announcement. He and I agree that Gods want to do something big in our nation and it can start in Mississippi. For information about Paul Ott visit Our Friends

THANKSGIVING PRAYER REVIVAL

Event: THANKSGIVING PRAYER MEETING
When: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH
Time: 3:30PM - 5:00 PM CANDLELIGHT PRAYER AT 5:00 PM

Location: OLD CHURCH GROUNDS SMALLTOWN, MISSISSIPPI
Where: MISSISSIPPI AG AND FORESTRY MUSEUM
LAKELAND DRIVE -- JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
Invitation: OPEN TO EVERYONE
Admission: NO CHARGE -- EVERYONE IS WELCOME


PLEASE COME AND ENJOY THE EARLY 1900’S SMALLTOWN, MISSISSIPPI. JOIN IN THE PRAYERS AND MUSIC TO THANK GOD FOR OUR STATE AND COUNTRY AND PRAY FOR A NATIONWIDE REVIVAL. HEAR PROCLAIMED MIRACLES AND REQUESTS FOR MIRACLES. PLEASE COME AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR LORD AND THE BLESSINGS HE HAS BESTOWED UPON OUR PEOPLE AND FEEL THE PRESENCE OF GOD AS THIS PLACE BECOMES HOLY GROUND.

THANKS.

PAUL OTT

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1-800-684-9486 OR 1-601-248-7000.

We must never Forget!

Let us remember to pray for our country and her leaders, today. And to thank God for His blessings and for being in control even in our darkest hours.