Alabamians Join Statewide Prayer Effort for Students
A new statewide effort has parents and community leaders across Alabama praying for students.
Friday was declared a Day of Prayer for Students Across Alabama. And with students facing "extreme challenges" from school violence to substance abuse, Gov. Bob Riley says adults must do everything they can to protect Alabamian students.
Teachers have planned to meet early Friday morning outside their schools to pray for students; churches are holding Prayer Walks near and around school campuses and some received permission to hold the event in school halls on Saturday while school is out of session.
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The prayer effort is spearheaded by First Priority, a student ministry with over 230 clubs at elementary, middle and high schools across Alabama. Riley signed a proclamation last month that was written by First Priority executive director Rick Hand.
"[I]t is incumbent upon parents, corporate and community leaders to do everything within their power to protect the students of Alabama and help them develop qualities of character, essential for their future family and leadership roles," said Riley, according to The Alabama Baptist.
The day of prayer is the culmination of a month-long prayer emphasis by the student network. First Priority declared the month of March "Students First," challenging parents and other adults to place the concerns of their children before their own.
"Our children don't just need our prayers, they deserve them!" stated First Priority.
Early this month, eight students were killed at Enterprise High School by a tornado that devastated the city and weeks before that, two Birmingham area high schools were locked down due to threats of violence.
Alabamians turned to prayer then and are now reclaiming prayer in a wider movement.
Churches have stepped up to the challenge, promoting the day with lawn signs and car antennas and holding 24-hour prayer vigils. And over 3,000 parents have gone even further to commit to "Prayer Zone," in which they pray for a school every time they pass by one. They are also encouraged to intentionally drive past schools to offer prayers.
"I truly believe in the power of prayer," said Hand, according to Church of God Communications. "For prayer moves God while at the same time it helps focus us on what's really important."
The prayer effort comes after a recent USA Polling Group survey showed that Alabama residents know more about the Bible than other Americans.
