In 1973, when former Vietnam POW Jeremiah Denton stepped off the plane at Clark Air Force Base in the Phillippines after more than seven years of painful and humiliating incarceration, he delivered a couple of lines before the microphone that sounded rehearsed; then his voice broke, and he cried, “God bless America!”

It was the ultimate prayer of praise and supplication of a man coming home. The crowd broke into applause and tears.

No Supreme Court ruling could have stopped him from uttering those words. I'm certain of it.

When Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. was being ravaged by bullets last year and teachers and students were hiding in closets, under tables and behind what doors they could lock... when those students who attempted to minister to their beloved coach had to watch him die because they could do little more than attempt to make him comfortable as he gasped his last breaths... when parents stood panic-stricken for hours beyond lines that had been drawn to prevent them from getting to their children... prayers went up in unison.

No Supreme Court ruling could have stopped such utterance.

Last week, when my daughter-in-law was having surgery, I sat down on the stairs of my home with my two grandchildren and the three of us prayed for their mom. I prayed aloud. I don't always pray aloud, but the kids need to know it's okay to pray for those they love and care about. I prefer to teach daily prayers, daily walking with God, daily thanking Him... but we all need to know that it's also okay to cry out to God when we need help or when someone we love needs help.

No Supreme Court ruling will ever stop me from praying silently or aloud in the privacy of my home or heart.

A number of years back I sat alone on my sofa watching the Dallas Cowboys compete in a playoff game near the end of the season. I couldn't tell you who they were playing, but I can tell you that when Roger Staubach was rushed and went down and wasn't moving for a bit, I was praying. Silently, seriously praying.

I do that. At red lights I pray for folks in the car next to me. I usually ask that the individual be guided to a full realization of all God is and how much He loves and cares for them.

I never hear an emergency siren that I don't pray for the fireman or medic or policeman who is responding to a call. Usually, I pray for their safety, and that God will give them wisdom and courage to serve as needed. And I almost always get a lump in my throat as I silently whisper such prayers.

Years ago, when I was active as a professional nurse, I was drawn to the terminally ill. Not always for what I could give to them. More often for what they gave to me. When folks realize they are dying, many hone in real quickly on the important things in life, and if you are ever lucky enough to share the last weeks or days or hours with one who is coming to the end of his or her days on earth, don't take such a privilege lightly.

Though there was nothing I could do to halt the inevitable, I could pray for my patients, and I did that as I performed whatever measures were indicated to give some degree of physical comfort. I did it in the clinical setting. I did it in patients' homes. I did it in the privacy of my heart.

Why am I writing today about an act that normally is very private for me?

Because I do not understand the “Christian” response to the recent Supreme Court ruling forbidding school-sponsored prayer before a school-sponsored event.

Does anybody remember what Jesus said just prior to reciting the model prayer as an example for us all? As he addressed the multitudes, along with His disciples, during His famous “Sermon on the Mount,” he said quite emphatically, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them... and when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the streets and be seen and heard of men... but when you pray, go into your inner room and pray there in secret and your Father who sees in secret will respond openly...”

So, what gives here? If Americans want to pray, that's one thing, but if we want to argue and fight about prayer that's a whole `nother thing. If the energy and commitment that is applied to arguing and fighting in the name of the Lord was spent talking directly to our creator, and serving others in His name, then there would be no need for any Supreme Court ruling on prayer. Prayer would rule.

You can write to me at P.O. Box 246, Gay, Ga. 30218 to respond to this or any other column.

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