DID YOU KNOW?
Over 80% of young people from Christian homes are walking away from the Church by the time they leave high school.
Just recently, a boy who dressed up as Jesus for Halloween was sent home by the principal because his costume was “too offensive.”
Student atheists are bombarding the public schools in an attempt to form clubs on the basis that, “You can be good without God.”
(according to crosswalk.com)
Despite these devastating statistics, God is still greater and he wants to do unexplainable, unimaginable things in our public schools! However, we must not overlook the essential fact that God moves in response to the prayers of His people. Even though God can move without the help of humankind, he often chooses to use us to accomplish his will. In fact, Scripture reveals instances where God only moved in response to the prayers of His people. The theme for SYATP 2013 is #IFthen –
2 Chronicles 7:14 “IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
The prophet Daniel displayed all the attributes of a true prayer warrior. Daniel knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that IF he prayed, THEN God would answer. Despite the law, which prohibited any person from praying to God, Daniel refused to succumb to the idolatry of his nation. Three times a day Daniel praised God and interceded for his nation, even to the point of punishment. That didn’t stop Daniel! We read in Daniel chapter 6 that God answered his prayer. Not only by freeing him from the mouths of hungry lions, but by softening the kings heart toward the only true King of Kings and Lord of Lords! If we pray, our God is always faithful to answer, even if it is not in the way we expect.
Much like the kingdom in Daniel’s day, public schools have forbidden prayer from outside sources. However, students are still legally allowed to pray. If we want to see a change in our schools, then students must pray! This starts with See You At The Pole, but must continue every day throughout the year. What if instead of SYATP functioning as an event, students made it into a movement? What if every week students stood in strategic places around their campus pleading for God to heal their campus, community, and nation? I’m not talking about a dinky little prayer either, but a deep outcry from within our souls that scares the forces of darkness and shakes the gates of Hades. Are you ready to see statistics change? If we pray, God is faithful to respond!
Remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We would love to partner with you and your youth ministry as you develop a powerful outreach plan that starts with, or is strengthened by SYATP. Whether you need info, encouragement, creativity, ideas, or unity, Youth Alive PenFL would love to be a part of your efforts to reach the public school.
Together we are far better than we could ever be separate!
Written by:
Natalie Barnoske
Youth Alive Missionary/Evangelist
Co-Founder of Generation Outcry Intl.
www.yapfl.com
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