When Washington High School football coach Joe Kennedy knelt for a brief, silent prayer at midfield after a 2015 game, he never expected it would cost him his job. Though the prayers were voluntary and never required player participation, school officials grew concerned when athletes—including some from opposing teams—began joining him. Fearing controversy, the school district refused to renew his contract. Kennedy sued, arguing the district had violated his First Amendment rights. In a 6–3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed, concluding that the school had infringed on his constitutional right to free exercise of religion. The Court noted that Kennedy’s personal expression was treated less favorably than comparable secular conduct by other staff and thus was unjustly suppressed.

2 Kings 17-18 – Courageous Conviction

Not all of us will face a decision like Coach Kennedy’s between public prayer and our jobs. However, the Bible clearly teaches that we live in a spiritual war zone. The enemies we face attack our hearts, minds, and our wills. We must not allow ourselves to compromise our beliefs like the people in 2 Kings. Instead, we need to honor God with our lives courageously. 

God repeatedly warned the people in 2 Kings to return to Him, but they refused his invitation, causing God to allow them to be taken captive for the Assyrians and forced into exile. While King Hezekiah tried to reform the southern kingdom of Judah, they refused to turn to God. 

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete honor God by trusting in the living God and His promises, regardless of the opposition they face.

Bible Memory Verse – “So Yahweh was very angry with Israel and caused them to depart from His presence; none was left except the tribe of Judah alone.” 2 Kings 17:18 (LSB)