Prayer Brings Hope in Anxious Times

“Some of the students were nervous about coming back into school. It wasn’t necessarily so much about Covid, but they knew all the expectations would be higher, so there was some anxiety around that,” said Coach Bill McCloskey, wrestling coach and math teacher at Armstrong High School in Robbinsdale. But among teachers, the fear was different. “Covid is more of a real fear for a lot of them. We would have large group meetings and there was a lot of fear and anxiety there.”

Coach MsCloskey had the opportunity to share encouragement with fellow teachers through a group chat. “We were talking about anxiety in a chat, and I told them my go-to when I feel anxious and I put in Philippians 4:6-7.” While some teachers appreciated his words, others were not convinced and fired back their frustration. Coach MsCloskey said, “I wondered, ‘What can I do for these people?’ I knew we had to pray.”

The Prayer Walk

Coach MsCloskey spends a lot of time investing in the student leaders and emphasizing the need for them to be in the Word and praying so prayer was a natural response when he considered how to help his students and fellow teachers. “I don’t know where the prayer walk idea came from. I’ve done them before at my church and at my house. I introduced the idea to my leaders, and they were hesitant, not for fear of what others may do or think but because sometimes at that age they tend to measure success in numbers. I convinced them it wasn’t about the numbers. We would just pray and leave it in God’s hands.”

So they did. And 30 people came to pray. Parents, students, alumni, and teachers joined to lift up the teachers and students as they returned to the classroom, that they would have peace and would know the One who can give them His perfect peace. “We sang. We shared some scripture. We prayed together. I sent them out in groups and we had 7 groups going around in shifts, like when the Israelites marched around Jericho and the walls came tumbling down. Then we came back and prayed some more and sang some more.”  It was a powerful time of prayer together, trusting that God has all the details worked out, even when they don’t know what fruit will be produced in the end. 

And they can do that because they know God’s promises. 

The Blessing of FCA

The desire that began in Coach MsCloskey’s heart many years ago has reached fruition today. Dozens of young people have a place to grow and boldly live out their faith in their public school, evidenced by those who came to pray.  Coaches are coming together to support and encourage each other in their faith journeys. Over two dozen teachers are on an email list where they share hope and encouragement with each other on a regular basis. And Bill McCloskey lives out his faith daily by loving his coworkers, honoring the leadership God has placed over him, and humbly serving his Savior. 

Pray for more coaches to step up around the state of Minnesota whose hearts are to see athletes grow in their relationships with Christ. Coach McCloskey says, “I really try to pour into my leaders and allow them to pour into their peers. I don’t make any money for this, and it’s the favorite thing I do. It’s a blessing!” Please pray for our coaches to continually grow in Christ and for their protection as they lead huddles in their schools.