I’m sure most of you have heard of the yearly prayer event called “See You At The Pole”. Here’s a bit of history…
“A small group of teenagers in Burleson, Texas, came together for a DiscipleNow weekend in early 1990. They came seeking God. Little did they know how powerfully God was about to move. On Saturday night God penetrated their hearts like never before. The students were broken before God and burdened for their friends. Compelled to pray, they drove to three different schools that night. Not knowing exactly what to do, they went to the school flagpoles and prayed for their friends, schools, and leaders. Those students had no idea how God would use their obedience.”
“Now, more than 3 million students from all 50 states participate in SYATP. Students in more than 20 countries take part. In places like Canada, Guam, Korea, Japan, Turkey, and the Ivory Coast, students are responding to God and taking seriously the challenge to pray.”
That’s us on the far left side sitting down…
We homeschool. We have no flag pole. So, we’ve never participated in SYATP until this year, when our new homeschool group “reserved” the flag pole at our local Y. We met at 9am (another perk of homeschooling…traditionally schooled kids must meet at their poles before school starts, around 7am) and one of the moms in our group had completely planned our time. There were scripture readings, prayers, and music…all by the kids.
Payton asked to be included in leading a prayer. He was assigned a topic to pray about (strongholds in our world that attempt to push God out) and he talked it over with Randy. When it was his turn in the program, he stepped up and told everyone that they could join in and pray as they felt led after he started it. He did well, had lots of kids pray (including Abbey, Marley, and Ethan), and then closed the prayer.
The boy always has at least one hand in his pocket!
I loved our morning…I love how free we are in the US to sing praise songs and pray right out in the open, with no threat against us. I loved how, just by gathering at a flag pole, we could be used by God to shine the light of Jesus to others. Can’t wait till next year.
(thanks for the pictures, Bonnie!)
September 25th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Wow, that is awesome. Honestly, we’ve never heard of SYATP, but it’s such a positive thing for kids…and it’s amazing how many other countries are doing it after the group in Texas. I’ll bet the group here will be bigger and bigger each year. And how about our Payton…the cute guy with his hand in his pocket…:) We are so proud of him for wanting to participate. God sure has a purpose in his life already. We are proud of all of you. It’s a great way to start your morning. It’s such ashame that kids can’t pray in school now. We always said the Lord’s Prayer every morning in the auditorium before school started. I just don’t see why that can’t be continued. There are many problems in the schools…I’m sure it has a lot to do with this.
September 27th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Sometimes my heart as a grandmother just bursts from happiness and pride. This is one of those times. I think it is so wonderful that Payton wanted to lead in the prayer and then each of his siblings prayed after he did. It wasn’t like he had known all these kids for a long time either, but could get up and do this anyway. I love the SYATP idea and that it has grown so much over the years. I am so glad that you all got to be a part of it this year.
Yes, we are blessed to still be able to worship God without fear like so many other countries are. Sometimes I feel that our country is changing so much and so fast and my prayer is that kids like these in the pictures will help keep our nation a Christian one as they grow up.
I thank God that all 12 (Dylan will be too) of my grandchildren are being raised to love and honor God.