When "See You at the Pole" began more than 30 years ago, it encountered opposition and even some legal battles. But SYATP's national field director, Doug Clark, says people now regard it as just another annual event for youth.
Clark explains the observance involves more than just one day a year. For example, he reports multiple prayer events have been held, many of which are focused on praying for students, teachers, and schools.
"We're seeing more of a focus nationally from a lot of different ministries to pray, concertedly and intentionally, for schools. We're describing it as a symphony of prayer," he tells AFN.
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This year's theme is "1st PRAY" – based on the scripture found in 1 Timothy 2:1 … "I urge you, first of all, to pray."
Clark notes that going into this year's prayer event, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on students that is still impacting them even today.
"The last four or five years have been very, very hard on our youth, and they haven't just bounced back from the pandemic. But there continue to be record levels of anxiety and depression," he laments.
And there may have been other health ramifications. A new study from the University of Washington at the National Academy of Science has found that the COVID lockdowns caused young brains to age prematurely – more so in females than in males.
