After a nonprofit filed a complaint against a Christian group holding National Day of Prayer celebrations on school grounds, an Iowa district originally agreeing to the event has decided to reverse its policy.
“In Iowa, several religious organizations as well as officials like Gov. Kim Reynolds have hosted and participated in National Day of Prayer celebrations throughout the state,” writes Robin Opsahl for the Iowa Capitol Dispatch.
The events take place May 1 across different locations – one of which included the Le Mars Community Middle and High Schools.
“Students were welcomed with donuts, breakfast burritos, orange juice, and hot cocoa – and more importantly, with open hearts and listening ears,” read a post on the “National Day of Prayer” Facebook page for Le Mars. “We took time to connect with students and asked them how we could be praying for them. It was a meaningful morning of ministry and encouragement.”
However, the celebration drew criticism from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a self-described group of “atheists, agnostics and skeptics of any pedigree,” according to its website.
