Since 1990, See You At The Pole (SYATP) has been a cornerstone event in schools across America. But does it still hold value today? In a time when students face new challenges and distractions, it's important to ask: is SYATP still worth promoting? After encouraging students to participate for over 30 years, here's why I believe SYATP continues to matter now more than ever...
#1 SYATP Unites the Body of Christ Beyond Denominations
SYATP reminds students that the family of God extends beyond their congregation. We don't often encourage our students to do things with believers from other churches, but SYATP provides that opportunity. By praying with peers from other churches in their community, students realize they're part of something bigger-and that unity brings powerful encouragement and growth. They see that they are not the only believers in their school, which is often the encouragement they need to stand firm in their faith.
#2 SYATP Grounds Faith in the Everyday World
Too often, students compartmentalize their faith, thinking it only applies at church or on mission trips. But what about the world right around them? SYATP helps them see that God is just as present in their school hallways, at football games, and in everyday life. At one time, the church was the center of our communities, but today schools often play that role. Praying at school matters because it brings faith into the places where students live daily and reminds them that their faith is not just for Sunday mornings. They are blessed to be a blessing to others, and SYATP calls them to love and serve those they are praying for.
#3 SYATP Embodies God's Love in Action
At public schools, students encounter peers with different beliefs, attitudes, and convictions, which offers a real opportunity to live out Jesus' command to "love your neighbor." SYATP isn't just about prayer; it's about being a blessing to those around them. When students participate, it's a call to follow up those prayers with action-loving, serving, and blessing their fellow students, especially those who are different from them. It's easy to be a Christian at church, but SYATP reminds them that their faith is meant to be lived out in the real world.
#4 SYATP Demonstrates that Faith is Holistic
In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (NIV). This speaks to the idea that everything-academics, sports, friendships, leadership, music, art-can and should be done for God's glory. SYATP reminds students that their time at school has spiritual importance. Everything they do there should be done with a mindset of glorifying God, just as much as their worship at church.
#5 SYATP Provides a Public Display of Hope
In a world full of confusion, fear, and turmoil, the public display of humble prayer can give people a glimpse of hope. Our country and the world have seen plenty of challenges in recent years. SYATP is a quiet yet powerful way to show that there is a source of peace and strength beyond the problems we face. Teenagers, in particular, need to see this kind of hope displayed in their schools-where they spend so much of their time.
A New Way to Talk About SYATP
In years past, we used to say things like "take a stand for Christ," "be bold about your faith," or "set your school on fire" when talking about SYATP. While these phrases were helpful at the time, today we might express it differently. Consider encouraging students to "show God's love to your school," "be a blessing because God has blessed you," and "don't just tell, but BE good news in your school." However we phrase it, students who follow Jesus still need concrete, tangible ways to remember that following Him is an all-the-time, everywhere kind of thing. We take Him with us wherever we go, even to school.
As a youth leader, this is your moment to inspire the next generation. Encourage your students not only to show up at SYATP but to live out their faith in every aspect of their school life. Let's remind them that they are the hands and feet of Christ on their campus. SYATP is more than an event; it's a moment that can help students see that following Jesus is a daily calling, wherever they are.
I hope to See You At The Pole.
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New This Year: SYATP - The Night Before Experience!
Join us for a special pre-event featuring powerful stories from schools across the nation! Streaming live at 6:00 PM ET on September 24th. Head to SYATP.com or the "myseeyouatthepole" YouTube channel for the 30-minute premiere!
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See You at the Pole is a global movement of prayer which is student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led. It revolves around students praying together on the fourth Wednesday in September, usually before school and usually at the school's flag pole. It involves student in elementary schools, middle/junior high schools, high schools, and colleges/universities across the globe. Adults often pray in support of the students on campus by gathering nearby, at their places of work or worship, or at city halls.
