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Brent Grisham, a teacher at MPGS, said, “It seems like, more and
more, the whole idea of prayer and religion is being thrown away by
our society. This gathering is a testament to the kids in this
community. It is important that they are willing to stand strong for
their beliefs.”
As
the students filed into the schoolyard, there was a sense of respect
and significance for what this day means to them. Brandon Bailey, a
fifth-grader at MPGS, said that students come for SYATP “because we
all love Jesus.”
Seth Deibert, age 14, said, “It's easier being a teen Christian when
you and your friends stand up together. We are making a statement.”
When asked how her non-Christian friends responded to this
gathering, Rachel Robertson, age 14, stated, “They don't know about
it.”
Parents at this gathering encouraged students to reach out to their
peers. The group prayed corporately and individually for our nation,
the school, teachers and student body.
One
parent prayed thanks for “being able to worship God anytime and
anywhere.”
Following the prayer gathering, students from the grade school as
well as from the MP high school gathered at the First Christian
Church for doughnuts and discussion. A total of 39 students
participated in SYATP in Mount Pulaski.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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According to a WCIC report, Zion Lutheran Grade School in Lincoln
had 50 students and 10 adults meet at the pole.
Gloria Morrow, secretary at Zion Lutheran Grade School in Mount
Pulaski, said, “We don't need to set aside a special time to pray,
because students pray in school here every day.”
Other local schools that had student-led prayer groups included the
Hartsburg-Emden school district, students at Chester-East Lincoln,
Lincoln Junior High and Lincoln Community High School. When
contacted, no other Logan County schools acknowledged that there
were any student-led prayer gatherings at flagpoles this morning.
Because of separation of church and state, many students and parents
may not know that they have rights and freedoms to meet in prayer,
even on the school grounds.
According to the
SYATP website,
there is no requirement to ask the administration
or school board's permission to meet; however, it is wise and
courteous to inform the administration about SYATP.
[Patricia Rankin]
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