NATCHEZ — When it comes to the future of our schools, the Rev. Clifton Marvel points no further than the good book.

The Bible tells us that prayer works, Marvel said.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray … then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (Chronicles 7:14)

In a new era in which children are exposed to more information than ever before, and a time in Natchez when the public schools are labeled by the state as “at risk of failing,” many local educators and clergy members wish the current era also made room for more prayer in public schools to accommodate the challenges.

And those educators and clergy members who work outside of the Natchez-Adams School District literally thank God for the freedom to infuse prayer into the education of students at their respective schools.

In a recent special legislative session, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a resolution designating today — Sept. 19, 2010 — as “Bless our Schools Day — A day of prayer for children and schools in Mississippi.”

The resolution is associated with a prayer movement called Moms In Touch International, which promotes prayer in schools.

Morgantown Elementary Principal Fred Marsalis said he had mixed emotions when learning about the resolution calling for a day of prayer for schools.

“I think every day should be a day of prayer for schools,” Marsalis said.

“But we can’t openly pray because of respect for the constitution and other people’s (religious) preferences,” Marsalis said.

Marsalis said he was raised in a prayer-filled household, and the church played an important role in school growing up.

“It was a great part of my life,” Marsalis said. “Church was not an option (in his house).”

If he had it his way, Marsalis said prayer would play a larger role in school, but he said he understands that is not the constitutional way.

“That is just my personal opinion,” Marsalis said.

Every morning at Morgantown, students say the Pledge of Allegiance, the Morgantown school pledge and pause for a moment of silence in which Marsalis said students can insert their own prayers and special intentions.

Marsalis said prayer helps students focus on their lives and their futures.

Marvel, who is the vice president of the Minister Mentor Program at Robert Lewis Middle School, said he encourages students who feel limited in expressing their faith at school to do so mentally.

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

“Nobody knows what you’re thinking, so even though prayer is prohibited verbally in school setting, you can still pray mentally,” Marvel said.

Marvel said prayer is important to school-aged children because it has the ability to encourage them from within.

In his mentoring program, which meets at the start of school on Mondays at Robert Lewis, Marvel said he tells his students having difficulty at school or at home two things.

“Number one, the Father made all of us in his image and expects great things from us. Number two, just like other folks can excel, you can too.

“We encourage them to encourage themselves,” Marvel said.

Marvel said the mentoring program constantly enforces that “only you can change your situation for better or worse,” and students can pray individually for the strength to change their lives for the better.

The mentoring program, now in its sixth year, affects students’ behavior through the advice they give, but also through the simple presence of clergymen in the hallways, Marvel said.

The appearance of clergy members in the hall lets students know that someone in the community — who is not a relative or employed by the school district — cares about their education.

Cathedral School religion teacher Rusty Vincent said prayer helps students focus on themselves and their future amid the confusion spread by the media and other stimulus provided by technology and the Internet.

“It’s very easy to lose themselves with everything surrounding them,” Vincent said.

“If you see God as creator, one that gave us life, it’s important to have a relationship with him because it taps us not into what we can see, but what we can’t see and goes beyond what’s in this world and to see what’s in the next life.”

By acknowledging God and reflecting on who Christ was and what he did for humanity, Vincent said students are forced to face the question of their own life’s purpose.

Prayer and reverence helps students understand the significance of what they are learning by making it a part of themselves, Vincent said.

“In schools you learn all of this information, but prayer is what makes it real and shows you how to apply it,” he said.

Vincent said a Cathedral student says a morning prayer over the intercom system each day. Some teachers start class with a prayer, and the school attends chapel on Wednesdays.

Adams County Christian School football coach Paul Hayles said he closes practices with a prayer every day.

When ACCS athletes have a rough day, they pray in order to appreciate the blessings of that day, to develop what God has given each student and to ask for strength to continue to work hard, Hayles said.

Hayles agreed that the current generation has more obstacles to distract their inner focus than students in the past did.

“It’s so much more intense than our generation. The things they can see and witness by pushing a button on a computer is off the chart,” Hayles said.

Hayles said he prays for students to have the strength to face life’s obstacles.

Hayles said he feel fortunate to work in a school that allows prayer.

“I just thank God that we have those that are still fighting the fight to try to maintain prayer in our schools.

“Only having a statewide prayer day on a Sunday — if that’s all we can do at this point I’m thankful for that — but I see the need for so much more,” Hayles said.

The Rev. Brandt Dick, chaplain at Trinity Episcopal School, said he also feels fortunate not to have to worry about crossing lines when encouraging prayer in school.

But he said prayer and worship should not just be designated for one Sunday in September.

Dick said the mindset in which humans live their life every day is a version of a prayer.

“(The importance of prayer) is not so much the form as the intent idea of opening oneself up to God,” Dick said.

“The line we do worry about (crossing) is making sure everybody feels comfortable whether they choose to pray or not,” Dick said.

While Marvel said he understands the legality of keeping prayer out of public schools, he said the availability of the mentor program at Robert Lewis has provided some students with answers to their prayers.

“Don’t knock (prayer) ‘till you try it,” Marvel said.