Do we see? Do we believe? Do we really care?

The truth is either
…we think the public school system is just fine the way it is.
…we don’t believe in the power of prayer.
…we just don’t care.

Today the Simpson County Baptist Association prayer-walked around the public schools in the county.

I didn’t want to go. My reasons?

· I homeschool which means I don’t have kids in the public school system.
· It might mess up my afternoon nap.
· I’ve already been at church 2 ½ hours and will go back tonight for another 2 hours. Isn’t that enough?
· I’ve got things to do.
· It’s hot and muggy.

But I did go. Not because I’m super spiritual. Not because God tugged at my heart. Not because “one person can make a difference”. Can I be honest here? I went because I thought it would look bad if the “pastor’s wife” didn’t go.

I’m glad I went.

I’m glad I went because God did lay some conviction on my heart:

• Someone important enough to have a key to the building cared enough to have his/her school prayed over. I should be thankful for that and pray for that person to have continued courage and strength.
  


• The spirits of darkness and oppression are already in the building just waiting to pry on young hearts. Can’t I take an hour of my time to ask God to pour His light into that darkness? Can’t I intercede on behalf of children who may not have an intercessor?


• I may not have children in the public school system, but it’s not about “me and mine”. I have friends with children there, and my community will one day be impacted by the promising doctors, lawyers, politicians, nurses, teachers, civil servants, artists, writers, and business people who are current students. Shouldn’t I pray for them to be godly men and women? And what about the potential prison inmates, drug dealers, addicts, under achievers, drifters, alcoholics, and suicide-attempters who are also there. Shouldn’t I pray for intervention?
  
  
• Either we as Baptists are blind to the situation of the public school system, don’t believe in the power of prayer to affect change, or we simply just don’t care. There are 44 Southern Baptist churches in Simpson County, yet only about 30 adults showed up to pray around the Magee City Schools. That’s not even one per church! I realize many, like us, chose to pray around the local school, but surely, surely in Magee, MS there are more than 30 church members. More than 30 people who didn’t have to tend to some crisis or another. More than 30 who are able-bodied. More than 30 who really, truly see the battle, believe in the cure, and want to be involved in the fight.
  

We say we believe in prayer.
We say the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)
We say prayer changes things.
We say all things are possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)

But what do we do?

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23)

So, if the crime, suicide, un-wed pregnancy, drug abuse, and drop-out rates increase in Magee, MS who is to blame?