STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD TO GATHER FOR PRAYER

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Area students are ready to answer the call to prayer.

They will gather at area school flagpoles at 7 a.m. today for the eighth annual "See You at the Pole." Southeast Missouri State University students will gather at noon for prayer.

The theme is "For Such a Time As This" and refers to the story of Queen Esther, who interceded before a Persian king in an effort to save her Jewish people. The story is told in Esther 4:14.

Nearly 3 million students participated in last year's event, which included meetings in every state and 17 countries around the world. Event organizers expect more students today.

When the students gather, they leave behind denominational differences and class divisions to pray for their classmates, teachers, administrators and leaders.

Student-led prayer is allowed on school grounds. Many area schools also have prayer groups that meet each week either before or after school.

Last year a prayer club meeting at Heath High School in Paducah, Ky., ended with the shooting death of three students. A fellow student was charged in the crime. He also wounded five others who had gathered for an early morning prayer meeting.

Only months later, two middle-school students in Jonesboro, Ark., killed four classmates and a teacher after using a false fire alarm to evacuate the building and then firing gunshots from nearby woods.

Because of the turmoil at campuses around the country, this year's gathering likely will be larger and have an important impact on youths, area church leaders say.

"In Paducah, what has come of it is that the prayer group has become the focus and something to hold on to that is positive and has strengthened other students," said Dan Ross, youth pastor at Bethel Assembly of God Church in Cape Girardeau.

Ross said both Cape Girardeau Central and Jackson high school students want their prayer clubs to have a more visible presence at the campus. See You at the Pole is their first big event.

"They'll never again be in a place where they will see that many students confined in one area to be able to tell them about what they believe and who they believe in," Ross said.

And many of those students are ready to stand up for their Christian beliefs and be responsible for their actions, he said.

While much of the nation ponders the presidency and Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr's report to Congress, the students are ready to make a difference.

"Part of the focus is to pray for the leaders of the country," Ross said. The nation's leaders aren't standing up as moral icons. They are taking the nation in the wrong direction, so the students are ready to make a difference, he said.

"This has made it more important that they stand up," he said.

The attitude of many students has changed in the last two years. Many students are apathetic and don't care to listen to teachers, parents or other leaders. And for that reason, it is important that Christian students are visible at school, Ross said.

See You at the Poll began in 1990 with a group of Texas youths. It grew from a small prayer meeting to a national event within a year. Now it reaches around the world.