<P> School prayer , in the context of religious liberty , is state - sanctioned or mandatory prayer by students in public schools . Depending on the country and the type of school , state - sponsored prayer may be required , permitted , or prohibited . Countries which prohibit or limit school prayer often differ in their reasons for doing so : In the United States , school prayer can not be required of students in accordance with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution . In Canada , school - sponsored prayer is disallowed under the concept of Freedom of conscience as outlined in the Canadian Charter on Rights & Fundamental Freedoms . School - sponsored prayer is disallowed in France as a byproduct of its status as a laïcist ( religiously neutral ) nation . Countries that allow or require school and other state - sponsored prayer include Greece , Iran , Australia , Italy and the United Kingdom . </P>
when was the lord 's prayer removed from schools in canada
Establishment Clause of the First Amendment