Students, others gather at flagpole to pray

Another start to the school year means new school supplies and fresh class schedules, reuniting with friends and maybe a different locker. But for See You at the Pole (SYATP) participants — from preschool-age to college — it also means a time to intercede in prayer for the world, community leaders, schools, staff and families.

SYATP, a student-initiated, student-led movement, began in 1990 when one youth group in Texas gathered to pray at several schools in the community.

This year’s 24th annual SYATP was Sept. 24 and corresponded with the Global Week of Student Prayer which encourages students to find new and unique ways, places and times to pray throughout the week.

As in years past millions of students around the globe participated in SYATP. They gathered at their school’s flagpole in the morning to pray with the 2014 SYATP theme in mind — NEVER STOP PRAYING — pulled from Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the Lord’s people.”

Matt Wilson, executive director of First Priority Greater Birmingham (which coordinated SYATP in Alabama), said, “This year’s theme message encourages us to put on the full armor of God, stand strong in Him and be His representatives to share the good news of the gospel.”

Community rallies also were planned by First Priority the evening of Sept. 24 at First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove; Moody High School; First United Methodist Church, Pell City; and Corner High School. Two rallies also were held Sept. 21 at Liberty Baptist Church, Chelsea, and Veterans Park.

The community rallies, which included a guest speaker and music, served as a “day for unity” because students, teachers and community members gathered together for a common purpose to ask God to intercede.

“(In Scripture) Samuel connected to the Lord when he was young and stayed connected with Him his whole life,” Wilson told The Alabama Baptist in a previous interview. “That is what we are trying to encourage kids to do.”