Every year, students across the nation gather together to pray around their school?s flagpole. Student leadership will organize the See You at the Pole (SYATP) event, in which teachers and students are invited to attend on Sept. 27.

In the past, students found See You at the Pole activity to be a very moving and powerful experience.

?Last year, See You at the Pole united me with my other peers because we were all here for the same reason,? Samantha Krikorian, ?08, said. ?We all cared about what was going on in the world.?

Students anticipate the event for different reasons, other than just praying.

“Five guys stayed after the prayers last year and started a Bible study,” Scott Yantis, ’09, said. “I am excited for this new tradition.”

As teens across the country observe the national Week of Prayer for Youth, many will be seen wearing blue armbands distributed in local churches and youth groups. Members of Fresno/Madera Youth for Christ are also handing out the prayer bands.

Although the 7 A.M. meeting might not appeal to some people, SYATP continues to draw kids together for a time of prayer. The 30-minute meeting will be held in front of the Peoples Church’s world fountain.

“We pray at the pole every year to show others and ourselves that we need God?s guidance, strength and encouragement as teenagers (and teachers) in this world of peer pressure and stress,” student leadership adviser, Ericlee Gilmore, said. “Even though everyday we come and pray at school, coming together and praying shows others our commitment to God.”

The theme for SYATP this year is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations.”

The Central Valley Youth Network is also holding its annual Prayer Rally at 6:30 P.M. at Cornerstone Church in downtown Fresno. The rally will provide information on the purpose of the week’s events and promote the national focus which is to slow down, listen to God and pray to him for protection for the youths of this country.

The first SYATP meeting was held on a Saturday night in early 1990 in Burleson, Texas. The group of students visited three schools that night and prayed around the flagpole for their peers and country.

About 3 million students in all 50 states participated in last year’s annual prayer event.

For more information on this event in the Fresno area, call the office of Fresno/Madera Youth For Christ at (559) 237-4741 or call a local church.