Dr. Frank Hansen spoke with precision Thursday as he delivered a prayer for education during the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer on the mall.
Hansen, a professor and minister at Stauron University, spoke of a secular society that has long since thrown God out of its classrooms. He prayed to God:
Hansen spoke of a society that was forever changed on June 25, 1962, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that prayer in public schools is unconstitutional. The decision changed the way that faith and religion are handled in classrooms. To religious people and free-speech advocates, it’s a day that lives in infamy.
In subsequent decades, some schools have avoided using the word “Christmas,” and “Easter vacation” has evolved into “spring vacation.”
“We regret that our educational system has said that it is more important to teach about humanity rather than the God that created humanity,” Hansen continued. “We ask Your forgiveness.”
Hansen prayed for a revival of God in schools, from kindergarten straight through doctrinal programs.
“We pray that every man, woman and child would hear the word of the Lord from the professors,” he said, within shouting distance of Bowdoin College.
About 75 people gathered for the National Day of Prayer, hosted by Pastors Brenda and Arden Cross of Gospel Light Fellowship of West Bath. This year’s theme was “In His name the nations will put their hope” (Matthew 12:21).
Brenda Cross introduced minister and grandfather Joseph Silver, who in the same vein delivered the prayer for families.
“I can’t think of a better time to pray for our families than now,” Cross said.
Silver agreed.
“Don’t give up on that,” Silver said. “God hears our prayers. He put us into procreation for our families.”
Silver added that families are separated for many reasons. War is one of them.
Talitha Dumont of Bath, wife of Air National Guard Senior Airman Ben Dumont, attended the National Day of Prayer for the second straight year. Last year, Dumont prayed for the safe return of her husband, who was stationed in Qatar. Six months later, Airman Dumont safely returned to his wife and children, Jacob, 5 and Sam, 3.
“God was with me the entire time, and with him,” she said.
The Dumonts attend Elim Community Church in Bath.
R.M. Tate, owner of Tate R M, a crafts and gifts store in Bath, prayed for businesses. Tate, attending the event for the first time, is a member of East Brunswick Baptist Church, where he and his wife, Jean, were married some 49 years ago.
lgrard@timesrecord.com
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