PRAYING AT SCHOOL

I’ve always been taught to not be ashamed of my faith. So going to a public school, I’ve always considered it my mission field.

Exercising my faith and displaying my relationship with Christ all started when I was in 4th grade. Who would’ve thought that something as small as praying before I ate my lunch would cause so much attention and curiosity? Several of my peers stared at me—some with distaste, others with support. I never let the weird looks shift me away from praying.

This continued into 7th grade, when I met a girl who also believed in God but was struggling with her faith. Daily, she would ask me questions about God. Seeing my opportunity to witness, I started bringing my Bible to school. Together, we explored the Bible, finding the answers to her questions. We listened to Christian music, prayed together, and frequently talked about God. In the 8th grade, she told me she truly felt different, like a new and better person. She gave her heart to Christ that year and was baptized. I was in awe of how God was using me.

Excited, I continued to display my faith, even on the football field, which is a completely different atmosphere. I remember being partnered with a teammate, who wasn’t the nicest guy. I was always praying, before games, before practice or when a teammate got injured. Slowly, I noticed my teammate changing. His behaviors changed and he, too, started to pray. We started praying together, even before lifting weights. Now as a sophomore, I know God is using me to be a light in my school and on the football field.

Something as small as praying before a meal or bringing a Bible to school can open doors to witness how powerful and life-changing God’s love really is.