'Fix It, Jesus' Emergency Prayer at Graduation Goes Viral

Christian Crawford

'Fix It, Jesus' Emergency Prayer at Graduation Goes Viral

CBNNews.com

Monday, May 25, 2015

A recent high school graduate in Alabama is the spotlight for his impromptu graduation ceremony prayer.

When Thursday night's Clay-Chalksville High School graduation ceremony was interrupted by a medical emergency, graduating senior Christian Crawford stepped up to the podium and asked everyone to join him in prayer, The Trussville Tribune reported.

"Everybody, can I have your attention real quick?" Crawford asked. "We don't know what's going on, but we will pray. We know that prayer is power, and that God is able. Let's pray," he said as he bowed his head.

"Father God, we thank you for this day, Lord. We pray right now that whatever is going on, you will fix it, God. We pray that you will heal it, God. We pray that you will redeem it, God. We pray that you will deliver it, God," he prayed. "Because we know that you are a God who knows how to make a way," he continued.

"And in the name of Jesus we declare and decree in the name of Jesus that whatever is going on shall be fixed because you are a God who is a fixer. You are a God who is a healer. Jehovah God, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Nissi, Jehovah-Shiloh. Fix it, Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen."

When Crawford finished praying, the crowd cheered and the graduation ceremony continued. The video, posted courtesy of The Trussville Tribune has gone viral.

"I'm glad the video has gotten this far," Crawford said. "But it's all to God be the glory. If God is not getting the glory, then this whole thing is in vain."

Crawford is the senior class president and wants a career in politics. He has been asked to present the opening prayer at the Alabama legislature next Wednesday. 

Why Students Don't Have to Check Faith at Door

Why Students Don't Have to 

Check Faith at the Door

June 4, 2014  Andrea Garrett  CBN News

Graduating seniors who want to pray or mention their faith during graduation exercises may face lawsuits or threats from school administrators.

Many school officials wrongly believe that those expressions of faith violate the so-called separation of church and state.

But Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice, says they don't have to be afraid. The law is on their side.

"A lot of schools get it wrong. They're so concerned about lawsuits or the threat of lawsuits," Sekulow told CBN News.

"The school administrators or faculty cannot start the prayer. They cannot make you pray; they can't force that. But a student can absolutely use religious language in their speaking role," he explained.

So, when high school valedictorian Roy Costner was told graduation prayers were being replaced with a moment of silence, he was well within his rights when he tore up his school-approved speech and prayed the Lord's Prayer instead.

Also, in 2012, a judge threatened to throw valedictorian Angela Hildenbrand in jail for exercising her First Amendment right to invoke religious language at her Texas high school graduation.

"The court's order said there could be incarceration if anyone mentioned Jesus or said 'amen' during any of the speeches," Liberty Institute attorney Justin Butterfield said.

A federal appeals court disagreed with that order.

"The Fifth Circuit said 'No, it's okay for her to do that,'" Butterfield said. "It's her private student speech and she's allowed to say whatever she wants and you can't discriminate against her message just because it's religious."

While graduation prayer gets the attention this time of year, students are also facing other kinds of religious discrimination all year long. Free-speech advocates say both students and their parents need to be aware of their rights.

Giovanni Rubeo, 12, was told by his teacher that he was not permitted to read the Bible during a free reading period at school.

His teacher left the following message on the Rubeos' home voice mail:

"I noticed that he had a book, a religious book, in the classroom. He is not permitted to read those books in my classroom," the teacher said.

Giovanni's parents consulted a lawyer, and the school is now complying with the law, which protects students who want to bring Bibles to school and read them during free time.

"Students absolutely have the right to read their Bible at free reading sessions," Sekulow said. "The courts have been quite clear on that. You cannot ban students from bringing their Bibles. You cannot ban them from reading their Bibles during free time."

The bottom line for students is regardless of the time of year, they don't have to leave their Christian faith or free speech rights at the schoolhouse door.

Valedictorian Bucks Graduation Prayer Ban - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com

Graduate Roy Costner IV Speaks The Lord's Prayer

Valedictorian Bucks Graduation Prayer Ban - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com


A South Carolina valedictorian disregarded a new ruling that prayer would be cut from his school district's graduation ceremonies.

According to a report by Christian News, Roy Costner IV ripped up his pre-approved speech and instead spoke about his Christian upbringing.

He then delivered the Lord's Prayer to a crowd cheering in support.

"And I think most of you will understand when I say, 'Our Father, Who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever, amen.'"

The Pickens County School District says no disciplinary action will be taken against the valedictorian.

A spokesman says they won't punish a student for expressing his religious faith.

Stand up and do what is right! If we don't, who will?

Steve Martin