FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) — Millions of elementary through college students gathered at flag poles on their campuses today in the U.S. and 63 other countries to pray in the student-led “See You at the Pole” initiative in its 33rd year.
The early sunrise, clouds and rains variously served as the backdrop for social media photos attesting to student participation.
“We surprisingly had parents fighting against it for the first time here in Byron, Ill.,” Bethany Collins Hardy wrote. “That prompted more teens/kids to come and the police as well to support our right to publicly pray. We had at least 80 show up.”
“South Carolina, grateful for the freedom to gather in the name of Jesus,” Nicole Young-Cline posted from Myrtle Beach.
“It was storming terribly this morning,” Wendie Holcomb posted, “so Buffalo High School in Buffalo, Texas had See You in the Library!”
“1st Pray” is the theme for this year’s event, based on 1 Timothy 2:1, engaging students in prayer for a variety of concerns including schools, communities, friends and classmates.
The event is designed to spark a continual prayer movement and lifestyle change, with resources available through the partner ministry Claim Your Campus, and was preceded in some communities by prayer walks and student ministry events, organizers said.
Held annually on the fourth Wednesday in September since 1991, “See You at the Pole” grew from a DiscipleNow weekend in Burleson, Texas, in early 1990. Compelled to pray, a small group of teenagers drove to three area schools, stood under flagpoles and prayed for schools, leaders and friends.
Word of the Burleson event spread, drawing 45,000 students in prayer under flagpoles in four states in September 1990, and a million at school flagpoles in September 1991, according to event promoters. Today, events are held in Canada, Korea, Japan, Turkey, the Ivory Coast and beyond, with students “responding to God and taking seriously the challenge to pray,” promoters said.
“As in all great movements of prayer, See You at the Pole did not begin in the hearts of people,” promoters said. “It began in the heart of God. God used the obedience of a small group of teenagers to ignite what has become an international movement of prayer among young people.”
Churches, ministers and parents are encouraged to support the event by praying for schools on Sept. 25 and by adopting a school to pray for throughout the year. Schools are available for adoption in every state and city at everyschool.com, or by texting “adopt” to 833-833-5925.
Top Christian artists including For King and Country, Toby Mac, Newsboys and Lauren Daigle compiled 13 songs available on interlinc about prayer and outreach in support of the event.
The multidenominational outreach has the support of nearly 100 ministries, schools and organizations including Alliance Defending Freedom, Christian Broadcasting Network, Christianity Today Magazine, Cru, Decision Magazine, Focus on the Family, Liberty Institute and Moody Broadcasting Network.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.)
