Prayer Over Students becomes a weeklong event

As the children headed back to the classroom on Aug. 16 at Olney Independent School District, the teachers and parents were not the only ones getting ready. The Prayer over the Students that was set for the previous Sunday, Aug. 13, was expanded to encompass the entire week.

I went to the prayer over the school buildings on Wednesday night to join in the prayer.

Six people, not counting myself, were in attendance.

Jan Braddock, elementary school teacher, and Pastor Harrell Braddock of the First United Methodist Church oversaw the meeting.

“It is our pleasure to gather here and pray for all of our campuses and administrators, teachers, and anyone involved with our kids,” Pastor Braddock said. “We pray for a circle of protection over all of them, that they might be safe in their learning environment.”

Mrs Braddock expressed her appreciation of the participating churches: “We appreciate all of the churches that have come to pray over our campuses. It is very important that we feel the love of our community. We appreciate it and we thank you,” she said.

Wednesday’s prayer meeting consisted of going to different buildings on campus, starting with a prayer circle at the elementary school flagpole. Going clockwise, the small group went to each building including the bus barn.

Seeing even just a small group come to pray over where our youths will be taught was touching. As all of the children return to school, we hope that they grow in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, and with men. (Luke 2:52)