The prayer that appears below has been in my column before. However, recently, I have had several individuals who asked if I would share it again. So for those of you who have requested the prayer...here it is:

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule.

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

An anytime my head I bow

Becomes a federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That' no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise,

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss, and dress like freaks,

And pierce our nose, tongues and cheeks.

They're outlawed guns, but FIRST the BIBLE.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,

We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No Word of God must reach this crowd.

Its scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot, my soul please take!

Amen.

****

Dr. Charles M. Wood, II is an accomplished instructor of psychology and religion at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He is a Christian counselor in Logan — serving, ministering, and donating his time to people from all denominations.

If you would like to contact Dr. Wood, please write: The Logan Banner, c/o The Good Life With Dr. Wood, P.O. Box 720, Logan, WV 25601; or call (304) 752-4658. All letters addressed to Dr. Wood will be forwarded to his office.