10 Things All Christians Should Know about See You at the Pole

A youth group in Burleson, Texas, started the event over 30 years ago. Teens gathered for a time of prayer. Then, in June of that year, a challenge was issued to thousands of students at a large conference.

The effect was great: 45,000 students participated in that first challenge. Other articles have said the numbers are as high as 56,000 for that first year. A year later, the event became international. A date for this particular event has been set each year, usually around the same time: the fourth Wednesday in September.

During said event, elementary through high school students can head outdoors during the set time to pray. According to the article linked above, middle and high schoolers tend to be the most common participants in the event.

Further Reading: 22 Powerful Back-to-School Prayers for Students and Teachers

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The tradition may have started in the United States, but several other countries participate yearly in See You At the Pole. The SYATP website reports that the event spans six continents.

According to some news reports, as many as 60+ countries have participated. Although the event is mostly sanctioned in America, students in other countries can opt to participate.

Many countries may have religious freedom restrictions, so we may not see a wider participation than 20-60 or so countries. We must bear in mind that in America, free speech allows students to participate in this more freely.

Further Reading: 10 Powerful Prayers for the School Year

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It may strike some people as odd that students chose a flagpole as the location for prayer. The reasoning?

Most schools had a flagpole. Therefore, each student could have a centralized location to meet and pray for their school.

On the global level, not every school will have a flagpole. Nationalism can differ from country to country. 

But in America, the majority of schools have a flagpole posted outside.

Further Reading: 5 Prayers for the School Year

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It shouldn’t surprise us that pushback would happen surrounding an event about prayer. Many people in America have said it goes against the Constitution to allow students to participate in this event, especially in a public school setting.

According to the SYATP website, the prayer time happens outside school hours. Therefore, students have the right and ability to pray outside of the school day.

This still hasn’t stopped people from arguing about the event’s legality. The website encourages students to clarify their rights with their particular school district officials.

Questions have also arisen about who can participate. Obviously, students can. But what about adults?

The pushback can differ from district to district. Some are fine with teachers and faculty participating in See You At the Pole. Others may not allow adults to participate in the event because it’s not a school-sanctioned event.

Further Reading: 10 Prayers for Your Children This School Year

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Several ministries have stepped forward to give financially to help SYATP. Still, the organizations connected to the event or its founders do not officially seek financial support from ministries or nonprofits.

We can assume this is because prayer shouldn’t be sponsored. We should be able to talk to God without having an advertisement attached to it.

Nevertheless, 100+ churches and ministries have invested in getting the word out about this event. The SYATP website lists several key groups that support the work:

• The Baptist General Convention of Texas, which has its headquarters in Dallas, has trademarked See You At the Pole and helps organize events.
• Student Discipleship Ministries in Burleson, Texas, creates and distributes See You At the Pole promotional material.
• Other promotion comes through the National Network of Youth Ministries in San Diego, California.

Further Reading: 7 Prayers for Teachers

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Certain themes have seemed to make their way through the rounds each year. Past themes include “For Such a Time as This,” “We Bow Down,” and “A Generation Seeking God.”

The 2022 theme was “Aflame,” referencing Romans 12:11-12.

However, See You At the Pole does not obligate students to follow the same verse or theme of the year.

Schools don’t have to follow a set curriculum for the event. As long as students gather around the pole, pray, and often read accompanying verses, they can say they took place in the event.

If students want to follow the SYATP themes or accompanying verses, I highly recommend following their website and social media for updates.

Further Reading: 10 Meaningful Back to School Prayers for Kids and Grandkids

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The event started long before we had the media connections we do today.

But now SYATP has seen a twenty-first-century makeover.

Not only do they have a reach on social media—their Facebook page has almost 60,000 followers, and their Instagram has 4,000—but they now have an app that students can download.

Even if you aren’t a student or a parent, you can download the app to stay updated on SYATP happenings, get devotionals, or follow their website.

Further Reading: A Prayer for the School Year

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Students have reported, on the SYATP website that they wish the event could continue in a way. Often, students may experience a spiritual high during the event, a revival, and they are often uncertain of the next steps.

Although when any prayer event breaks out, we don’t always have a clear “next step,” we can extend our welcome to these students.

Maybe we offer to host worship nights or get involved in our local youth groups, giving students peer connections who can help them engage with prayer and Scripture regularly.

Further Reading: 7 Hopeful Prayers for High School Students

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No matter how we may feel about the next generation, we must remember that, at one point, we hand off God’s kingdom to them. We allow them to evangelize for the kingdom when we have stepped off this earth.

The young often appear cynical, but if you’ve spent time with young people, you know that many of them have a deep heart for God. They want to know him more and to spread the Good News.

It helps us stay updated about such events to encourage the next generation of believers.

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If you can, take some time to pray for the students who will participate.

In certain districts, they may receive pushback. They may experience peer bullying merely for participating in See You At the Pole.

Although we experience much religious freedom in America, many have become soured to Christianity. Students and faculty members could use our prayers and support during this event.

Further Reading: 5 Powerful Prayers for the Start of the School Year

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Heavenly Father,

This year, thousands of students across the globe—and faculty members—will gather together for a time of prayer. I pray protection over them as they gather around in an act of faith. May you hear their prayers and protect them and their school districts. And may you stir up the hearts of their classmates and faculty who see them at the pole.

Amen.

Further Reading: 10 Back to School Prayers for Your Children

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