A week before classes begin, hundreds of praying parents will circle Richmond and Columbia County schools.

They'll be prayerwalking; that is, praying and meditating at the location that compelled prayer.

The focus is, of course, on the prayer, not the walking, said Pam Anderson, the ministry assistant of Fleming Baptist Church, which has helped organize the prayerwalks through the Augusta Association of Baptist Churches.

Individuals and church groups are invited to gather Saturday, Aug. 2, for prayers. The association recommends groups meet at 9 a.m., but prayerwalks will be held throughout the day.

"We've got to get outside the four walls of our church," Mrs. Anderson said.

Last year, 300 to 400 people gathered at 53 schools. Praying, she said, "is one of our strongest and easiest ways" to communicate with God:

"When we share our heart with him, he shares his heart with us."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552

or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: School Prayer Walks

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 2

WHERE: Richmond and Columbia County schools

CALL: Fleming Baptist Church at (706) 798-3511

HOW TO WALK THE WALK

The Augusta Association of Baptist Churches offers these guidelines for prayerwalking:

- Select a school that your children or children in your neighborhood attend.

- Research the school and its needs. Prayers are commonly offered for administrators, teachers parents and pupils, role models, peer pressure and safety.

- Team up; prayerwalk in groups of two or three.

- Bring a small Bible, songbook, journal and pen, or signs, such as "God Bless Our Schools!"