Leading dozens of students, the Bible verse of 1st Timothy 2:1 is read aloud, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people.” On Wednesday, September 25th both students and teachers alike gathered together to spend time in prayer. 

     This was an event called See You At The Pole (SYATP). In 1990, students in Burleson, Texas, inspired by their faith in Jesus Christ, began to pray around the flagpoles at schools near them. After being publicized and spread, almost 50,000 students joined together throughout 4 different states, to pray for their schools, communities, country, and world. Since then the movement has grown to an estimated 1 million students, in multiple countries, participating in the event every year. 

     This year’s theme was “1st Pray,” emphasizing putting trust in God through everything by consulting him first in prayer, and was based on the scripture, 1st Timothy 2:1. The event began with a reading of this scripture and a short explanation before splitting into small groups to pray. Prayer topics included first the school, then the community, next the country, and finally the entire world. Prayer was open to everyone and many were moved to pray for whatever they could think of within each of the topics. 

     At Hempfield, See You At The Pole is led by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). This group meets every Friday in the Franklin Gym at 7 o’clock to talk about God and spend time together for Him. SYATP is held annually on the fourth Wednesday of September. It is a reminder to those involved that there are people near them who share the same values and faith. And it assures the community that people care about each other and care about making the community a better, less divided place.