Local clergy organize prayer services for protection of children this school year

Mardi Suhs | Cadillac News Rev. Will Markham of the Revival Center believes in the power of prayer and is helping to organize simultaneous prayer meetings to be held at every school in Cadillac for the protection of our children this school year.

CADILLAC — As a community we have grieved for our young people with promise who chose to intentionally end their lives.

We have attended funerals and wept untimely tears. We have brought in guest speakers and formed a suicide coalition.

Now, the faith community is offering a plan of protection for our school children — prayer.

On Wednesday night, from 7 to 9 p.m., local pastors will gather with volunteers at every school building in Cadillac to pray for the protection and safety of our school children and educators.

“I had been praying about how we could be a blessing to our kids and our schools,” explained Rev. Will Markham. “And it couldn’t be just us, the Revival Center. I felt it was important that everyone who follows Christ in this area be involved. And the idea came and it was just so simple — that we get churches to go to individual schools and let their pastors lead the prayer.”

“We truly believe in the power of prayer,” agreed Pastor Ken Pastotnik, president of the Cadillac Area Ministerial Association. “We believe God can bless our community, our children, schools, teachers and administrators. We want to get the school year started off right and we are seeking God’s guidance and protection.”

Markham has long led his congregation in on-site prayer. He calls it Praying Onsite with Insight. Since 1991 the Revival Center has prayed at all 83 Michigan courthouses, as well as the state capitol. They have prayed in every township, and last year they visited and prayed for every church in Cadillac.

“I believe in the power of prayer,” Markham stated. “I believe with all my heart that when you go and pray, God answers. And I believe that when the people of a community see the need to pray and they do it, God responds to that very directly.”

He added, “I would love to see our school superintendent, our teachers and students not have to go to any kid’s funeral in the school year. That’s been on my heart. We will pray for protection over these kids that they will be blessed and protected from any harm or evil that might come their way.”

For more information, call 775-2662.

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