What I Learned During Footprints

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by Jay Higham

Last year I participated, for the first time, in Footprints on Campus.

Footprints on Campus is a national prayer initiative that invites youth leaders, para-ministry organizations, churches, adults (really anyone!) to come together and prayer-walk their local schools. The primary objective is to pray for 67,000 schools and 1,300 juvenile detention facilities across America.

I participated by helping organize prayer walks for the schools in my community. We have five schools in our district: three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.

The whole experience was powerful.

I've prayed for schools countless times over the years. But with the exception of showing up for See You At The Pole events or saying a quick prayer while sitting in my car in a school parking lot, going onto campuses specifically to pray hasn't been a regular rhythm for me. So stepping onto our local campuses with the intentional purpose of praying was both meaningful and eye-opening.

And in doing so, I learned a few things I want to share with you.

Pray for Teachers

At two of our schools, teachers and teacher aides joined us to pray. I was struck by their desire to lift up their students, but not just students. They prayed for co-workers, support staff, administrators, and families.

As I listened, I realized something: we need to be praying for teachers more intentionally.

Not just a quick, generic prayer like, "God, bless our teachers." I mean praying for teachers by name. Reaching out and asking how we can pray specifically for them. What burdens are they carrying? What are they seeing among students? What challenges are they facing inside the school?

Teachers are carrying far more than lesson plans. Pray for them.

Practice "Drive-By Prayers"

As I drive to my office each day, I pass four of the five school buildings in our district. During Footprints, it hit me that every drive past a school zone is an opportunity to pray.

Simple prayers. Short prayers. Two or three sentences asking God to move among students, teachers, staff, and administrators.

And not just once.

Every time you pass a school, pray again. Maybe you pray for safety one day. Wisdom another day. Hope the next. These small moments can become meaningful rhythms that shape the way we see our schools and communities.

Group of youth leaders, parents and teachers in front on a school that has been prayed over

Adopt a School

This is actually a real thing, and not just my idea.

Organizations like EverySchool.com help churches, leaders, and individuals intentionally pray for and support local schools. Their mission is to help people engage schools through prayer, encouragement, and service.

You don't have to wait for a major event to care about your schools. You can adopt one. Learn its needs. Pray consistently. Show up. Encourage educators. Support students.

Small acts of faithfulness can make a significant impact over time.

Pray Big Prayers

Recently, while attending a retreat, I felt convicted about my prayer life-not because I wasn't praying, but because my prayers had become too small.

Not short. Small.

I realized many of my prayers had become general, safe, and predictable. I was challenged to begin praying for God-sized things. Bigger prayers. Bolder prayers.

So that's what I've started doing.

I want to encourage you to do the same. Pray prayers that require God to move. Pray for transformation in schools. Pray for students to encounter Jesus. Pray for healing, unity, wisdom, and revival in your community.

Pray BIG prayers.

Two youth leaders in front of a school after praying over it

Pray With Expectation

Years ago, I heard someone ask a question about prayer that has stayed with me ever since:

"Do you pray hoping God answers your prayers, or expecting Him to?"

That question challenged me.

We know God hears and answers prayer. So the issue isn't doubt-it's whether we are preparing our hearts and lives as though God is actually going to move.

What would it look like to pray big prayers and truly expect God to answer them?

What prayers has God placed on your heart for your school, your students, or your community? What bold prayers have you been hesitant to pray?

Maybe now is the time to pray them, and expect God to move.

I want to invite you to join us this year for Footprints on Campus.

Whether you gather a group to prayer-walk a campus, pray during your commute, or simply begin praying intentionally for teachers and students by name, your prayers matter.

What are you praying for right now? What big prayers are on your heart? How are you seeing God move in your life, ministry, or community?

We'd love to hear your story.