Get Youth Praying

[Reimagine Curator]

Equipping Youth to Pray

by Kevin Boer

Let's be realistic. Many American Christian youth leaders tend to act like practical atheists. They live their lives out of their own strength, not through the Spirit's power. It’s so easy, with all the distractions of life, to go through the day prayerless, not even remembering God is there.

It is a natural tendency for all humanity to forget God. We need regular encouragement to stay connected to God in the midst of our busy lives. Sometimes a day (or week) on the calendar can serve as that encouragement – both for us and our students! For many, See You at the Pole is a great reminder for us to rededicate our lives and the schools we serve to God's purpose and direction.

So how can you equip your network coordinators, leaders and students to pray? Here are a few thoughts from a recovering practical atheist >>>

[Phil Miglioratti]

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See You At The Pole — A No Hate Zone by Lee Rogers on Aug 11, 2015 I was in ninth grade the first time I went to See You At The Pole. My youth pastor challenged us and even though my sister and I were the only students from our school in our youth group, we decided to go. I thought we’d be standing alone so I prepared for this moment. "How will I pray? What will I pray for? What will God do in our time around the flagpole? What will everybody think when they see me standing there?” I had everything planned out and was ready to pray. Imagine my shock when so many others gathered around the pole. And they began to lead and even had their own plan. I went along with it, but I couldn’t help feel a out of place. First, I didn’t know that they were even Christians until that moment (they were probably thinking the same thing about me). Second, they didn’t pray the same way I did. Third, I felt marginalized because they didn't know me. Even though that happened over 20 years ago, I still remember how I felt. In spite of my first impressions, I am a strong believer in See You At The Pole. I participated as a student, coached students as a youth pastor, and held rallies as a network coordinator. You won’t find many bigger fans. But I also believe that youth pastors and leaders need to play a more pivotal role in preparing and equipping students for participation in the Christian community at school, at the flagpole and beyond.  See You At The Pole is about one big idea – the power of prayer. Not only does prayer unite us and change the circumstances around us; Prayer transforms us. That’s because SYATP is as much about identity as it is about prayer. It’s nearly impossible to pray in such a public place without being identified as religious, spiritual, or devout—a participating member of the Christian community at school. For many students, gathering around the flagpole carries more weight for the identity it infers upon them than for the power of prayer it is built around. I’ve heard some of my ministry friends decry this reality, but public identification with the Body of Christ was an important component of primitive Christianity, and it’s something we need to value equally today.  The challenge of my first SYATP was the issue of identity. I had no concept of my part in the larger Body of Christ; the community of churches in my area. So when I encountered my fellow believers at the flagpole, I wasn’t sure how to feel about them. They were different than me in beliefs and behaviors.  It’s easy to see how discord can develop in the Body of Christ. and if we are not intentional as leaders, we will easily see discord among our students around the flagpole. Given the slate of political and social changes that our nation has undergone, and the wide array of opinions and reactions by various churches and organizations, this could be disastrous if we aren’t careful. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that are you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). As leaders we can intentionally help our students to create an environment of Christ-honoring love around the flagpole, a “No Hate Zone” that is centered on Biblical truths we can agree upon, rather than upon theological or political disagreements. Here are five tips to help your students plan and shape a successful and cooperative See You At The Pole: Let your students know that other students will attend SYATP. They may even be surprised by who shows up. Tell them that many churches worship and connect with God in different ways, that this will be reflected at the flagpole, and that’s okay. We are all a part of the same Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). They probably have something you need, and you probably have something they need. Love and respect these differences in worship and prayer styles. Have a conversation with other youth leaders in your area. I always worked hard to get our network conversing on SYATP. Some valuable questions for this discussion include: What youth leaders will be present at what schools? What student leaders are anticipated at each flagpole? What can we do to get these students together for discussion in advance? What does each of us need to communicate to our churches and youth groups for a smooth and collaborative day of prayer? Should we have a meeting or rally to help our students get together? Teach students to focus on things we can agree upon during their prayers around the flagpole. Most of us can agree on several points, including that God is love (1 John 4:8), that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), that God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), and everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). There are so many additional points of commonality, and this is where we must encourage and equip our students in their prayers and planning. Get students together to pray, plan, and discuss SYATP before it happens. If you’re not having a rally as a network, think about how you can get students from the same schools together for a discussion in advance of SYATP. Time around the flagpole is short, and it’s best to have a settled plan in advance. Is this best accomplished over a cup of coffee, a Facebook discussion, or some other venue? Be present at the flagpole, but let students lead. When an adult takes over and leads SYATP, it not only puts the event at risk from a legal point of view, it disenfranchises the students who have come to pray and to lead. Be present, or have another leader present, but in a coaching capacity only. Answer questions or give guidance when asked, but let the students do the praying and the talking.  I pray that with these simple steps that we can lead the way in preparing and equipping students to develop a healthy Christian community at schools!