The last Friday of this month, March 30, will be the Seventh Annual Statewide Day of Prayer Over Students Across Alabama. At the request of First Priority, Governor Bob Riley proclaimed the First Statewide Day of Prayer Over Students in 2006. First Priority will once again be coordinating this prayer emphasis encouraged by the recent proclamation of our current governor, Dr. Robert Bentley.

This is a day when parents and concerned adults take time to pray over students, teachers, school administrators and support staff, and schools. Last year, thousands of adults were involved in public prayer events to show students in Alabama their prayerful support. First Priority is encouraging Alabamians again to pray for students as they are faced with challenges such as peer pressure to abuse drugs and alcohol, negative influences in the media, school violence and gang activities, fear and low self-esteem.

Please understand that Day of Prayer is not an event; it's 24 hours of continuous prayer over students, teachers and school administrators across our state. There are numerous ways you and others can get involved and demonstrate your prayerful observance of this important day. The following are just a few ideas: 

• Turn school zones into prayer zones by praying over schools every time you pass by them.
• Plan a 24-hour prayer vigil at your church.
• Plan a prayer walk around your local school. You must receive permission from the school principal to do this.
• Contact the principals of local schools to let them know their schools are being lifted in prayer. Ask for a list of faculty members so you can pray for each member by name.

For more ideas about how to get involved and demonstrate your prayerful observance of this important day, please click here.

Be sure to tune-in to WDJC Radio, 93.7 FM, and Priority Talk with Greg Davis on WXJC 92.5 FM and 850 AM for on-air promotion and coverage. If your church or community is planning a special event, please inform us so we can use the media to help get the word out. Expect other radio, television and print coverage highlighting this special call to intercession for our students. If you or your church have a corporate plan in place and a gathering point for people to pray, then you may very well see new people join in at the last minute because of the media.

Commit now to join with other parents and concerned adults to pray over students, teachers, school administrators and support staff, and schools. For more information or ideas about how to get your church and community involved, click here or call 205.871.8886. You can also join our E-prayer network by sending your e-mail address to pray@gofirstpriority.com.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. - James 5:16b

We would like to invite you to join First Priority for our SCORE (Students Count On Real Examples) Dinner on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Life Baptist Church, 6200 Lou George Loop, Bessemer, AL, 35022. Come out and join us for an evening filled with fun, fellowship and inspiration.

Our special guest speaker is Courageous' Robert Amaya, bilingual professional actor/singer in Miami with a background in theater. Robert is most recently known for his role as Javier in the new Sherwood Film, COURAGEOUS. He felt humbled and honored playing this character because it reminded him of his own father's struggles to survive in a new country with a family. Between projects, Robert travels across the nation singing and speaking at both English and Spanish churches, schools and organizations about a variety of topics including fatherhood, honor and Christianity. Click here to learn more about Robert. You don't want to miss Robert and his words of encouragement.

To purchase SCORE Dinner tickets or to sponsor a table, please call 205.871.8886. Click here for more information. We hope you will mark your calendars now and plan to join us on Thursday, April 26, 2012.