Texas AG Ken Paxton Pushes for Voluntary Classroom Prayer, Recommending the Lord’s Prayer
AUSTIN, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has called on public schools across the state to implement dedicated time for prayer in classrooms, specifically encouraging students to utilize the Lord’s Prayer, following the enactment of Senate Bill 11 on September 1. The new law allows school boards to adopt policies setting aside time for voluntary prayer and the reading of religious texts, including the Bible, during the school day.
In a press release on Tuesday, Paxton wrote, “In Texas classrooms, we want the Word of God opened, the Ten Commandments displayed, and prayers lifted up.” He emphasized the Lord’s Prayer out of Matthew 6, as a recommended practice for students, framing it as a way to uphold Biblical truth foundational to the nation. The move comes as part of a movement across the United States to increase religious expression in public schools, following the passage of Senate Bill 10 & 11, which mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
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Senate Bill 11 requires school districts to vote within six months on whether to adopt prayer policies, with student participation requiring parental consent. The law also mandates that the Attorney General’s office provide legal representation to districts or charter schools that implement these policies. Paxton’s office has pledged to defend any legal challenges that arise from adopting such measures.
Proponents argue that the law promotes religious freedom by allowing voluntary participation across all faiths, ensuring no violation of First Amendment protections.
State Senator Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) the bill’s author, championed SB 11 as a means to promote religious freedom in schools, arguing it aligns with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings like Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. He stated, “In Texas, our schools are not God-free zones,” and emphasized the bill’s voluntary nature.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick prioritized SB 11 as a key legislative item, stating, “Religious freedom is a bedrock principle upon which America was founded,” and thanked Middleton for carrying the bill. He highlighted bipartisan support in the Senate’s 23-7 vote.
