A Future and a Hope for Success - A Prayer for My High School Class

I graduated top of my high school class, but didn't present the speech. James, our class president, gave the address for high school commencement in 1998. Instead, I was selected by a handful of students (including James) to give the invocation - maybe out of default due to my academic standing and faith, maybe because I was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by my class, or maybe somewhat through Divine right. The small group discussed and met in prayer before-hand in the hall, asking God to bless the graduation and our plan.


I remember the 183 students lining the hall dressed in blue and white gowns, excitement and emotions running high. The principal and board members lined the decorated stage, complete with podium and christening diplomas. Here, our lives changed; we embarked on a new adventure. We confronted "real-life": some with fear, others with certainty and determination, but all with a bit of naivety. We had been carefully incubated under the hand of staff who had a high degree of accountability, some of which actually cared about their students. University and the "school of hard knocks" later left many wondering why they didn't receive an award or pat on the back for every job they finished or assignment they completed. Maybe we didn't understand that cheering on the students' performance wasn't always motivated by their concern for students. In fact, "the real world," we found, was much more cruel, cut-throat, and nonsupporting of juvenile accomplishment. Friendships faded, grew, or evolved. Each took a different path. Nevertheless, we stood, full of hope for the future: for crystal clear purpose, freedom from all hindrances, knowledge, answers without anymore questions, success.


As the students proudly strolled single-file to their alphabetically-arranged, prospective seats in step with "Pomp & Circumstance," I mentally rehearsed how it would all play out. The prayer wasn't in the program. It couldn't be there according to Supreme Court decisions regarding public school-sponsored events and activities. Impromptu, student-initiated, student-led invocations are, however, guaranteed protection under two significant laws in the United States: 1. The freedom of speech clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution. 2. The Equal Access Act. These also protect other students' rights: to initiate and participate in Bible clubs or prayer groups during the school day on campus; to pray during the day or before school starts; to wear Christian apparel; to bring a Bible to school and read it during free time; to glorify God during a graduation speech; and to hold a baccalaureate service during the graduation season. Teachers also have religious rights under these laws, such as the right to use the Bible as a resource in school.


After the welcoming and opening remarks to maybe 1000 attendants, James was invited up to present his speech. He approached the microphone and, to the surprise of most everyone and the skepticism of some, welcomed me unto the stage to give an opening prayer. I thanked God for each one gathered, asked Him to bless our student body, to pastor our life-long decisions, and help each one to come to know Jesus personally as their Lord and Savior. He had plans for us: to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a future and a hope. However, destiny-actualization wouldn't be achieved without surrendering to the One who created everything, who alone holds all knowledge and understanding, who wants us to learn and be wise. His first commission to humanity included the charge to propagate knowledge, life, and stewardship of each other in creating, making, and contributing to society and community. In a few seconds, I had blazed the trail for students to seek sapience through faith, to know and exercise their freedoms in an educational system that is often fearful and over-protective in such matters. I pray many more will follow.