After 50 years of no prayer in school, the effect now has grandchildren. But a deeper look shows a major deterioration of the family. Could it be because children were not encouraged to pray?
Yesterday’s date marks the 50 year anniversary of the ruling of Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court case that ruled it was unconstitutional for prayer to be required at the beginning of the school day.
Since this ruling in 1962, we have seen a rapid deterioration of family values in America. The number of single-parent households in the past three decades has increased 74%. [1] Our violent crime rates have climbed 332% from 1960 to 2010 [2], and our divorce rates from 1960 to 2008 have increased 89%. [3]
Our mission is to secure a bright future for America and the world by instilling a Christian worldview in the hearts and minds of children. When millions of children in America are afforded Christian education, the founding principles and values that made America great will be rewoven into the fabric of society.
Make a difference! If you are a Christian believer in Jesus Christ, consider starting here:
1. Pray! Pray for your family and for families and communities who may not know how to pray. Pray for a move of God’s Spirit and a new love and respect for His Word.
2. Speak out! Share your faith in loving ways through your words and deeds. You may be the only Christian someone knows. Live God loud. Encourage other Christians to join you.
3. Vote! As a Christian, you are one of God’s stewards in the world. This stewardship applies to everything. Our mission is to bring God glory. He receives glory when the truths and principles of the Bible are honored. Since our elected officials impact the direction of our nation so greatly, Christians should intentionally serve as gatekeepers on those who seek to serve… to screen and to hold accountable.
What will the next 50 years bring? Our attitudes and actions today will go a long way in determining the answer.
Endnotes
1. “Table 1337: Single-Parent Households: 1980 to 2009.” United States Census Bureau. 2012.
2. “United States Crime Rates 1960 – 2010.” The Disaster Center. 2010.
3. “Divorce Rates Trends.” The Society Pages. 2009.
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