See You at the Pole is a prayer event that takes place at the flag poles of middle and high school campuses around the country on the last Wednesday of September. Here are three reasons why you should be involved or why to pray for the youth in our communities at See You at the Pole on Sept. 28:

1. Teenagers need your prayers like never before.

John Wesley said, “What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” You may be shocked at the lack of morality and godliness of teenagers today because of the complacency of generations past. The enemy is attacking the faith of teenagers like never before, and they are struggling. Many teenagers have significant mental health struggles that were amplified by the pandemic. They are told to live for everything frivolous while they are young, and not take anything too seriously. Youth is something to be wasted. This ideology stands in blatant contradiction to the prerogative to “remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Ecc. 12:1). Youth are growing up in a world that is propelling forward in darkness, intent on making them waste their lives. Many in Generation Z do not know where to turn for help. They need to know there is hope in the name of Jesus.

2. Teenagers are a strategic investment for church growth.

There are more than 3.3 million middle and high schoolers in California. That’s almost 10 percent of the state’s population! Students are constantly surrounded by others in the classroom, in band practice, and on their sports teams who do not know Jesus. God is building relationships through these students for them to share the gospel with their unbelieving friends. After students graduate, their circle of influence gets smaller. Not all students go to college, and they all take on different careers. This is a strategic time for them to be evangelistic and reach a greater diversity of people than any other time in their lives. We need to equip and empower teenagers to reach their generation with the gospel and see all of California come to saving faith in Christ.

3. Attend See You at the Pole to engage your community.

This event you will be attended by local students, youth volunteers and teachers who want to make an impact for the gospel in your neighborhood. This is an opportunity for the Body of Christ to come together, across denominations, in a unified front to pray for the next generation. Students are impacted to see their pastor or church leader on their school campus. It makes them believe even more that living out their faith is not limited to attending church, but every day at school as well. Students should have a personal and public relationship with God. Your attendance and willingness to pray in public at their school will inspire them to be bolder about following Jesus publicly.

So how can you get involved? See if any students in your church are attending See You at the Pole on their campuses. If they have never heard of it, they can get connected through their school’s Christian club, or by going and praying. Nothing is required to participate in this event, but it does help to inform the school administration of your plans. You can find helpful tips on how to prepare for this at https://syatp.com/pages/prepare

Let’s make a difference for the teenagers in California, starting with prayer to the only One who can. On the morning of September 28, I will be on the campus of a local high school to pray for those students, and I challenge you to do the same. See you at the pole!