Week of Prayer in Schools by Frederick Griggs

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1916

Week of Prayer in Schools

By Frederick Griggs

At the Educational and Missionary Volunteer Convention last summer the following action was taken with reference to a special season of devotion in the spring: “That our schools observe a special week of prayer in the spring of the year, the first week in April being suggested as a suitable time.” In our schools of all grades this plan is being carried out more or less generally, and with excellent results. Two reports will be of interest.

From Professor Morrison of Union College:—

“The annual consecration week for the students of Union College has just closed. The general topic considered during the week was the Whole Armor of God, in accordance with the scripture found in Eph. 6: 13-17. The subtopics for the different days were: The Girdle of Truth; the Breastplate of Righteousness; the Sandals of Preparation; the Shield of Faith; the Helmet of Salvation; the Sword of the Spirit.

“This institution has for several years followed the plan of having a special week of prayer near the close of the school year. We have always found this week very profitable and helpful, and this has been especially true in the experience of the week just closed. There was a very earnest, quiet spirit manifested from the very beginning. The general topic of conversation was the uplift and special blessing received at these meetings. The Lord was present in a marked manner upon different occasions. Nearly all our students are church members, but at the close of this week’s service the Lord called out some from the remaining few, who went forward in baptism. It was a time of special uplift and rejoicing on the part of many of the weaker ones. These gained a much stronger experience than they had ever known.

“The enrolment this year has been considerably larger than at any time since the foreign departments were separated from the school, and an increase of nearly ten per cent over last year. As we send out a graduating class of more than sixty from all departments, we pray that they may go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to do the work of the Lord wherever he may call.”

From Professor Ashton of Mount Vernon Academy:—

“Our week of prayer was indeed a profitable season for our school. The students seemed to enjoy it even more, I believe, than the regular week of prayer. A number of students who had not heretofore yielded to the Lord, presented themselves as living sacrifices. On the Sabbath closing the week of prayer, we had a beautiful baptismal service in Hiawatha Lake, when eleven of our students were buried with Christ in baptism. I am very much in favor of this special week at the close of each school year.”

The one supreme object of our schools is the conversion of our students, and this week of prayer now established in the schools will aid much in preparing our youth for Christian service.

FREDERICK GRIGGS.