To help clarify the school prayer controversy, this article examines recent court decisions concerning three issues: organized prayer, silent prayer or meditation, and prayers at graduation, assemblies, and extracurricular activities. In "Wallace vs. Jaffree" (1985), the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed its consistent opposition to organized school prayer by overturning an Alabama law authorizing silence for meditation or voluntary prayer. Whether compulsory or voluntary, prayer recitations are clearly prohibited. However, schools may require a moment of silence for reflection or meditation without violating the First Amendment. Statutes authorizing silence for "meditation or prayer" may be permissible. The Supreme Court had not yet ruled on prayer at school ceremonies; lower courts have consistently applied the "Lemon vs. Kurtzman" three-part test requiring statutes to have a secular purpose and effect and avoid excessive entanglement with religion. Although the Jaffree case met the test, Justices Warren and Burger wrote dissenting opinions viewing prevention of an established national religion as the real issue. The Burger-Rehnquist stance may predominate if President Ronald Reagan appoints new Supreme Court justices who share his intent to reestablish school prayer. (MLH)