Adventist Schools Across Inter-America Celebrate Annual Day of Prayer

Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist schools throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory celebrated an annual Day of Prayer on March 10. Students set aside their regular classes to focus on praying for others during a pandemic that has turned them into full-time virtual learners.

“This has been a very difficult and sad year in our Adventist educational institutions because so many parents and teachers died from the coronavirus, families have been financially affected, and just the normal program in our schools was completely altered,” said Pastor Gamaliel Flórez, education director for the church in Inter-America. “What’s most important during this Day of Prayer is for students and teachers to understand that communion with God makes the difference in their lives; that any challenge can be faced with God, and with Him there is hope.”

Affirming the Power of Prayer

The celebration was another opportunity to affirm the power of leading a daily prayer life, not only for students and teachers, but for their families as well.

“God is real and He loves you,” said Flórez as he addressed more than 6,300 students enrolled in 30 primary and secondary schools in Chiapas, Mexico, during the live online program. “If you allow God to act in your life, if you live for His honor and glory, He will answer your supplications, so trust in Him and make Him your friend.”

This was the IAD’s first virtual day of prayer since it was established 11 years ago. In previous years, leaders traveled to various regions to meet and pray personally with students and teachers.

During a special segment of the live program, Lenika Yutiana López, a 14-year-old student from the Jose Bates Adventist School in Huixtla, Chiapas, was baptized.

Reflecting on Bible Heroes of Faith

The special day of prayer saw students reflecting on the theme of the week, which was the Bible’s heroes of faith. They also sang together and engaged in several interactive activities from their homes.

In Guatemala, the more than 5,800 students enrolled at 27 primary and secondary schools took part in their own, respective school’s program for the day and later joined the prayer emphasis program. “All this week, we have had special devotional nuggets before class, with mid-morning prayer sessions, a time to make posters; children perform dramas and more,” said Yanet de Cima, education director for the church in Guatemala.

The school system has been hit hard with about 500 fewer students due to a mandate that preschool classes stay closed during the pandemic, said de Cima. Unemployment and financial struggles have been evident also. “Adventist schools have been a beacon of hope because, through each spiritual program, prayer has been offered for so many families whose parents have been unemployed and are in need of food.” Schools have collected goods to distribute among the neediest families, and the church at the union and local levels have provided scholarships to two students in each of the 27 schools, she added. She also explained that 45% of the students are not members of the church, so that assistance is a testament to the love and care for which the mission of the church stands.

This article was originally published on the Inter-America Division’s website