Who makes the call on prayer before football games?

Who makes the call when it comes to prayer before athletic events at Roane County High School?

I am a proud alumnus and supporter of RCHS and its athletic events.

In my years at school and subsequent years after graduation, it would have been unheard of to open events without praying.

What happened?

I have attended all 2011 home football games and all but one away game this season. All away games, including other Roane County schools, open the event with prayer — all except RCHS.

Who makes the call and why make the call concerning RCHS games?

Who makes the call not to envoke God’s blessings and protection on all players, coaches and officials?

RCHS is the only school that did not!

There is an announcement made before the games at RCHS to not use deriding words and bad gestures toward players or officials, to which I agree.

Why not ask God to direct the hearts of spectators as well, that they be able to control their emotions?

God’s word says that we are to “Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17), “In everything by prayer and supplication” (Philippians 4:6), and again “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting” (I Timothy 2:8).

Some would invoke the Constitution to defend the separation of church and state, which is not even in the Constitution.

On the contrary, the First Amendment to the constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”

Again who makes the call and why, to prohibit the free exercise of prayer at all times as we are commanded to do?

Have we lost our integrity in regard to intercessory prayer?

“In God We Trust”

Ray Cantrell
Kingston