See You at
the Pole (SYATP) is a global day of student prayer. It began in 1990 with only
ten students praying at their school and twenty-two years later millions pray
on their campuses the fourth Wednesday in September. It is student-initiated, student-organized
and student-led. Typically, students will gather around the flag pole in front
of their school before the school day to lift up their friends, families,
teachers, school and nation to God. It is supported by a league of ministries
like: Moms in Touch, National Day of Prayer, Christian Educators, Campus
Crusade for Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Youth for Christ and many
more. (See the SYATP website for a full list.)
One of the
greatest questions that is asked each year is whether teachers and/or
administrations can join in See You at the Pole. The purpose of SYATP is for
students to be the leaders and initiators of the event. It is their time to
seek God. Well-intentioned adults often
join in and even take over the event, but it is neither wisdom nor legal. As a part of the 16-9 movement, we strive to
help Christians in the public school understand what they can and cannot do.
SYATP is one of these very important events that we need to be wise as a
serpent and humble as a dove.
To prepare
for See You at the Pole, an adult and teacher’s role is to pray for the
students BEFORE the event. Second, be sure to understand the US
Government Guidelines for Constitutionally Protected Prayer for the Public
Elementary and Secondary Schools. It basically states that students-led prayer
is totally legal because it does not interrupt instruction, it is before the
school date and is outside the school building, but most importantly it is
student-led. Teachers may pray with each
other before or after school, but are not permitted to pray with the students.
Although it is tempting to support the students, use wisdom and
discretion. There certainly needs to be
adult supervision in the area, but allow the students to experience this
incredible freedom and privilege.
For the
students, there is no requirement to ask permission of the administrators to
hold a See You at the Pole event on the 4th Wednesday in September (or any other day of the school year)
because this precedent has already been settled in the courts. However, since we are representing Jesus
Christ, it is always courteous to let the administration of the school
know. If there should be any objection,
don’t take the battle on. Be respectful and then call for assistance to a host
of legal advocates such as Liberty Counsel, Alliance
Defense Fund, Christian Educators (CEAI)
and/or National Legal Foundation. Most times, it only takes a simple phone call
to clear up any fears or misunderstandings that may arise.
The See You at the Pole website is a wealth of
information from legal guidelines to checklists for preparation. Whether there
is a single student, two or three huddled together or hundreds gathered to
pray, it is about the students’ cry for an awakening. The 2012 See You at the
Pole™ theme is Awaken and the Scripture is Ephesians
3:14–21 - “For this cause I bow
my knees unto the Father… I pray that out of his glorious riches he may
strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ
may dwell in your hearts…And I pray that you… grasp how wide and long and high
and deep is the love of Christ, and…that you may be filled to the measure of
all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine…’”
This year
SYATP falls on the Jewish high holy day of Yom Kippur. For those schools that are closed, please
consider having your SYATP event the day before or after. For those students and teachers who are home
on that day, why not consider fasting on this day with our Jewish brothers and
sisters? May God be given the glory each day and especially on this year’s See
You at the Pole.
Prayerfully yours,
K
Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog
entry by clicking here.
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