Minneapolis, MN | Kids Stepping Out in Courage [Video]
“I want to partner with what God is doing! His Kingdom is here, and we are a part of it!”
Years ago, the Activating Prayer Cohort inspired Novo staff member, Steph Kaihoi, to prayer-walk her kids’ Christian school, joining generations of prayer-walkers before her who faithfully sowed seeds of the Kingdom. Now Steph is beginning to see a surprising turn of events happen within the walls of this local K-8 grade school. We might not think of a Christian school as a spiritual battlefield, but students, teachers and parents alike are witnessing quite the spiritual shift take place. Collectively, people are feeling God is doing something “new” in and on the land.
An invitation was extended to all 367 students, plus staff and families, to come forward and be anointed, blessed in their identities, and prayed for.
Last year, Steph and her friend Ellie, another Prayer Cohort grad, launched a basketball clinic for 1st-4th grade girls after doing some listening prayer and sensing an invitation from the Lord. Along with practicing their basketball skills, girls are introduced to the prayer tools from Novo’s Prayer Cohort. Steph shared, “It’s been quite sacred witnessing young girls lean in with no hesitation and hear God’s voice for the first time, and watching them turn to their buddy and bless one another. It’s such a delight to see and partner with what God is doing here. This really is his good work.” These girls are learning how to discern truth from lies, and it’s giving them a new lens on how God sees them. This was their 2nd year doing the clinic, and there was a waiting list because they didn’t have enough basketballs. The momentum is growing and parents are seeing the spiritual impact this basketball clinic is having on their daughters.
Another spiritual breakthrough occurred when the whole student and staff body stepped out in courage this fall. There was a heightened awareness of the importance of prayer and a desire to take action. The school’s theme for the year is “All In [for Jesus],” and at the end of the first chapel an invitation was extended to all 367 students, plus staff and families, to come forward and be anointed, blessed in their identities, and prayed for. The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable, and people were tangibly sensing a spiritual shift in the room. Students were getting healed of things they didn’t even ask for prayer about. They were hearing God speak directly to their hearts in profound ways.
After that, many curiously asked, “What’s next?” A few teachers were sensing the need to prayer-walk the school with the students leading the way, and leadership decided to dedicate the next chapel to doing exactly that. Before they all went out to prayer-walk, Steph shared how to listen to God first and how to bless the land with things from God’s house. Steph’s 3rd grade daughter got to pray the armor of God over the entire school, then everyone proceeded to walk out class by class. There was a growing eagerness and distinct peace over the kids as they formed a giant circle in the field by the school. One student from each grade said a prayer over the land with a megaphone in hand. Kids were getting words from Jesus and breaking off lies the enemy was speaking over them. God was filling the student body with hope.
To end their prayer-walk, everyone asked Jesus, “What’s one thing you want to do in this land?” Then, they all shouted it out at the same time at the top of their lungs.
From the youngest to the oldest, the student body is stepping out in courage to say, “I want to partner with what God is doing! His Kingdom is here, and we are a part of it!” There is a real sense among God’s people that this is only the beginning, and they can’t wait to see where God leads them next.
