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Public School Prayer in Song

Several versions of The Public School Prayer in Song are available below and from these fine retailers:

Amazon MP3 iTunes Google Play Emusic Rhapsody
Go to Master's Call album. Public School Prayer cover art

Mission Statement

This song is God-breathed - words/melody/chords came all at once. In early 1995 I heard I was to give this prayer back to the children of our nation, so I had it produced right away. When nobody seemed interested, I shelved it and forgot it. Twenty two years later, I awoke hearing a voice within saying it was now time to release The Children's Public School Prayer to the children of our nation. The Lord had me prepare very early, in order to have the arranger & producer of His choice. It was a gift given of God for me to give freely. May it bless our nation in ways we cannot possibly anticipate. May we truly acknowledge our dependence on Him and ask His blessings on our nation and people. For blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord - The Creator, Redeemer & Lover of all! Psalm 33:12; John 1:1-3

Track List

Click on Sample for mp3 sound clip, Complete Song for the whole thing, and chord chart for the guitar chord chart. Versions include:

  1. Public School Prayer in Song - lead vocals and harmony: Walt Harrah
    Sample - Complete Song - chord chart - right click to download
  2. Public School Prayer in Song - Kids Singing
    Sample - Complete Song - chord chart - right click to download
  3. Public School Prayer in Song - Kids Singing with Spoken Prayer
    Sample - Complete Song - chord chart - right click to download
  4. Public School Prayer in Song - lead vocals: Rhoda Daniel, backup vocals: James Harrah
    Sample - Complete Song - chord chart - right click to download

Bonus instrumental tracks (web only). Right click to download complete instrumental track.

  1. Public School Prayer Instrumental in key of D, which matches songs 2-4 above.
  2. Public School Prayer Instrumental with Chorus featuring Walt Harrah in key of G

Background

In 1951, the New York State Board of Regents approved a 22-word prayer for recitation each morning in the public schools of New York. It read, "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country."

The constitutionality of the prayer was challenged by the parents of 10 children in New Hyde Park schools. This challenge made it all the way to the Supreme Court (Engel v. Vitale, 1962) which declared the prayer unconstitutional based on the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment.

Go to There's a Train a Comin'
Go to Bible in Song for Children
Go to Public School Prayer

Inspiration

I was reading a book review about the New York State public school prayer when I felt a light brush across my cheek. That sensation had become familiar to me as a sign that the Holy Spirit had a song for me to write. I immediately went to my music stand, picked up my guitar and played and sang it without one hesitation as to what word was next, or which chord to chose. The short version of the Public School Prayer in Song sung and produced by Walt Harrah is the original God-breathed version of the song. To the children's 2nd version, I added the New York State Regent's spoken prayer and extra repeats to make it a little longer.

Lyrics

Almighty God we acknowledge,
Our dependence on You.
We beg Your blessings upon us,
And our parents and country too.

Bless us all we beg Your mercy,
Almighty God, we depend on You.

Lord, please bless our parents.
Please bless our teachers too.
Lord, please bless this whole country,
And bless us children too.

Bless us all we beg Your mercy,
Almighty God, we depend on You.

Almighty God we acknowledge,
Our dependence on You.
We beg Your blessings upon us,
And our parents and country too.

Bless us all we beg Your mercy,
Almighty God, we depend on You.
Almighty God, we acknowledge You.

Credits

Music and additional words beyond original prayer: Rhoda Daniel
Production date: 1995/1996

Track 1 - Walt Harrah singing - Key of G

Guitar, drums, keyboard and bass: James Harrah
Vocals: Walt Harrah
Producer: Walt Harrah
Arranger: James Harrah

Track 2 - Kids singing

Guitar, drums, keyboard and bass; James Harrah
Children's voices: Amy / Olivia and Nicole Guinn, Timothy and Sterling Thomas, Melissa / Marion and Megan Mote, Kristy Leibensperger, Candice Jones and David Hochstetler (ages 7-17)
Producer/Arranger: James Harrah

Track 3 - Kids singing with spoken prayer in middle

Guitar, drums, keyboard and bass: James Harrah
Children's voices: Amy / Olivia and Nicole Guinn, Timothy and Sterling Thomas, Melissa / Marion and Megan Mote, Kristy Leibensperger, Candice Jones and David Hochstetler (ages 7-17)
Producer/Arranger: James Harrah

Track 4 - Rhoda Daniel singing

Guitar, drums, keyboard and bass: James Harrah
Vocals: Rhoda Daniel and James Harrah
Producer/Arranger: James Harrah
Rhoda Daniel
New Trumpet Ministries
1075 Ruth Street, Box 410
Prescott, AZ 86301

Email: Music@NewTrumpet.org

All four albums by Rhoda Daniel are available from these fine retailers: Amazon MP3 iTunes Emusic Google Play Rhapsody

Your donations are very welcome and will be used to produce more albums.

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