Schools in recent years have periodically been the centers of controversy over the practice of prayer in public, specifically whether or not, and to what extent, school authorities may take part in such displays of faith.

At one school in Tennessee, coaches and teachers were told that they couldn't lead students in prayer, so a massive group of student-athletes from two different schools decided to take matters into their own hands:

Last week, school officials in Putnam County, Tennessee, were told that district employees were not allowed to lead students in prayer. That included not only teachers and staff but also coaches of athletic teams...

Some parents were irked by the decision, which they saw as a religious attack. Dustin Whitefield was one of them, and he and other parents decided to show support at Upperman's football game against Stone Memorial High School on Friday...

"After the game, players and cheerleaders that choose to will be on the field praying on their own. A group of parents will be going out on the field to support them. We will join hands and encircle them from a distance as a sign of protection and solidarity in choosing to continue to pray."

Images from the event are stunning and stirring: Two opposing teams, and dozens and dozens of supporters, praying to God on the football field:

Lesson: Don't ever let anything stand in the way of you publicly living your faith.

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