This Wednesday, students around the world will be challenged to come together at their school’s flagpoles to pray.

The international movement called See You at the Pole began 20 years ago with a small group of students in Texas who felt led to pray for their friends. Since then, millions have participated at campuses in several different countries.

At the small Christian school I attended from kindergarten through 12th grade, See You at the Pole was done during school, when everybody could be there and nobody was shut out because of not being able to get there early.

At public schools, however, that won’t be the case. Christian students will have to find a way to get to school early on their own to participate. If they don’t have a car available to them, they will have to walk, get a ride with a parent or other adult, or catch a ride with a friend.

Besides encouraging all students to participate, I’d like to encourage all adults to do everything you can to help students get to school early for this event. It’s important, because it helps strengthen students’ relationships with God and their classmates, and gives them an opportunity to share their faith with others at their school.

When I talked to Doug Clark, promotions coordinator for See You at the Pole, he stressed that it’s a prayer event, not a performance. But, inevitably, some non-Christian students will see what’s going on and ask about it.

“We’re just excited at the way it continues to provide opportunities for students to be visible in public about their relationship in Christ,” he said. “It’s not intended to be a show, but it is challenging for students sometimes to show that they are Christians on the campus. That can be a real step of faith for kids.”

Clark also challenged adults to support the event, whether by something as simple as giving students early rides to school or by helping the students organize.

“It’s an opportunity for adults to really support students who are trying to live out their faith at their school,” he said.

For more information, visit www.syatp.com.