How Can You Take a Stand Today?

Tennessee Rockvale High School coach Rick Rice was in hot water after an anonymous complaint was made by a parent after a team-led prayer before a football game.

Community Support

The community rallied behind the coach like Ronnisha Simmons-Duke, a mother whose teen attends the school.

“That’s something that you see on the fields, that’s something that you see in the locker rooms, that’s something that you see in the classrooms, in small groups when it comes to any athletic sport, but especially in football, we really see that,” Simmons-Duke disclosed to News 4, according to CBN News.

Students supported the coach and he endured, suggesting we can persist in prayer and courageously walk through fear. The coach apologized, and the team nevertheless prays.

Moving Ahead in Faith

Countless times, I decided not to pray in the open out of fear I would be judged. Several weeks ago, I got a text with a picture of a wrecked car with the airbags deployed. I didn’t recognize the number, the car and panicked: “Who is this?” It was the wrong number and asked if they were okay. I told them I would pray for them. I pushed through my fears of praying for a stranger, who might not even believe in prayer.

The mom said she was struggling and her teen wrecked the only car they had and said sorry for the message. She welcomed prayers and kindness. Another time, I grappled to pray before a meal because I was at a restaurant. However, I figured, who cares? Go for it!

Maybe take a stand.

Jesus endured the ultimate fear of going to the cross. He mastered death and the sin of man. Today, we can withstand attacks with faith, boldness and fearlessness. This can be praying openly or doing something else God instructs to do. Oftentimes, the voice in our head stops us from moving forward.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

If God did this for Isaiah, He will do it for us on a football field, through a text or at a restaurant. We just need to drive through our anxieties.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7.

How can you take a stand today?

About the Author

Corine Gatti-Santillo has spent two decades as an editor, investigative reporter and web content strategist; her work has appeared in The Christian Post, LifeZette and CBN, among other outlets. She is host of the program “Mom on the Right” on The Liberty Beacon TV. She and her husband, Rocky, live in Virginia with their infant daughter and yellow lab Maggie.

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