Friends, I hope you have this Wednesday morning (September 27th) marked on your calendar. It’s national See You At The Pole day.

Students, parents and in some cases, school officials will gather around flag poles in front of schools across the country to pray. They’ll pray for students, teachers, friends, coaches, administrators, government officials. It’s a really cool time. If you have a student in a local school, plan to be with them at the pole 30 minutes before school begins to pray with them. (Dads, I’ve learned this the hard way, it’s important to not do anything to embarrass your student. You may even need to stand far away from them in the circle.) They may or may not be able to articulate it well, but your presence makes an important statement to them, their friends, their teachers and others who will surely pass by.

If you don’t have a student in a local school, pick out a school and go join a group at the flag pole anyway.

And here’s another thought… I love prayer triggers. Could you cultivate the habit of praying for students, teachers and leaders every time you pass a school? I know teachers in a number of local schools and it’s pretty cool to pray for them specifically as I pass the school. Also, think about young folks in your church or community. Lift them up specifically, by name. Pray for their salvation, their growth, their education, their purity, their health.

Stacy and I have talked about how blessed our family, and especially our children are. Not only do we pray for our kids but all four grandparents are still living and pray faithfully for our crew, specifically, individually, by name. Who knows what we, and they, have been spared from because battles are being fought on their behalf. But, it brings sadness and tears sometimes when we think of other children in our neighborhood or community, or even on our kids’ teams, who are being prayed for by no one.

So, take time to pray for some kids today. If not your own, there are plenty out there for whom you can engage spiritual warfare.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV

Don’t let this be a one-time event. For more encouragement and resources, check out Prayer at the Pole & Beyond: Resources for the Praying Dad.