Coach Joe Kennedy’s untold story

OPINION:

Is prayer as powerful as some people say it is? Well, ask Coach Joe Kennedy. He has lived it.

A proud American and U.S. Marine for more than 20 years, “Coach Joe” became a high school football coach in Bremerton, Washington, near Seattle. Wearing headphones and patrolling the sidelines, Mr. Kennedy was an ever-present figure in his community. He schooled hundreds of young athletes in the values of hard work, persistence and integrity.

Coach Joe believed that what kept his players safe and guided the outcome of life’s every contest was the grace of Almighty God. To him, God wasn’t a theory or an idea but rather the savior of his life and the protector of the precious young athletes entrusted to his care.

That’s why, after each football game, he would jog out to the 50-yard line, take a knee and give thanks to his lord and savior, Jesus Christ. It was a precious, personal moment, and it meant everything to him.

Apparently, that expression of faith was too much for officials at the Bremerton School District. They ordered him to stop praying in public after games.

Coach Joe’s players suggested he capitulate so he could remain their coach, but as an American and a former Marine, he couldn’t do it, he said.

In fact, after one game, the coach skipped his postgame prayer, hopped into his vehicle and began driving home, but he suddenly felt convicted, as if he had broken his commitment to God. He immediately turned his car around and returned to the stadium, where he walked to the 50-yard line surrounded by empty stands and knelt to offer a belated prayer of thanks.

“I would have been just a complete failure as a husband, as a coach, as a father and as an American if I’d given in to that,” he says.

When the school district informed Coach Kennedy that his contract would not be renewed — meaning he was essentially fired for praying in public — he had no choice but to file a lawsuit to keep his job. The First Liberty Institute, the nonprofit law firm committed to defending the freedom of religion of all Americans, agreed to represent him.

Now, you may have heard how this case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, but here’s the part of the story you haven’t heard.

Although it was prayer that triggered the school district’s action against Coach Kennedy, it was the power of prayer that empowered him to endure what followed. Year after year, as the case played out in the courts, his heartache, expense and marital stress escalated.

The lower courts issued rulings in his case seven times. Mr. Kennedy lost every single one. The pressure to give up and throw in the towel was immense.

“There were days I didn’t want to go even one more day,” the proud Marine acknowledges. “I didn’t have the strength. I just wanted it to be over.”

He had a secret weapon. Whenever he felt like giving in, he prayed for God to give him the strength to keep on fighting. God answered that prayer every time.

“That’s really what it came down to,” he recalls. “I was asking God, ‘Just give me the strength for one more day.’”

Finally, after hearing oral arguments, the day arrived when the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision. That was the day Coach Kennedy received the miracle he had been praying for. In a 6-3 ruling, the high court awarded a summary judgment in the coach’s favor. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch’s opinion declared, “The Constitution neither mandates nor tolerates that kind of discrimination.”

Overnight, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District became a historic case protecting the right of every single citizen to pray to God in public. Prayer was what made it possible.

I share this story about the power of prayer because, as we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation’s founding, we Americans have an unprecedented opportunity. I’m talking about GAP26, America’s nationwide prayer call taking place from March 1 to March 4. The Great American Prayer Revival is right around the corner, and every American is invited to join.

Churches, pastors, ministries and believers from every corner of our nation are participating. Together, we will be following in Coach Kennedy’s footsteps and exercising our God-given right to pray for our nation, our communities and our loved ones.

Please join us. To learn more and see how you and your family can participate, log onto GAP-Event.org.

Let’s make America250 a year of miracles that we’ll always remember.

Because, as Coach Kennedy learned, sometimes in life, prayer is all you have left. Prayer is all you need.

• Kelly Shackelford is president and CEO of First Liberty Institute.