Plenty of walkers and joggers lined Furys Ferry Road on Saturday morning, but only a few had their heads bowed in prayer.

At the start of each school year, the Augusta Association of Baptist Churches invites Christians to prayer walk at area schools. More than 100 participated last year, praying at 11 Columbia County schools and 28 Richmond County schools. Several churches planned walks Saturday, including Grace Baptist Church in Evans, where more than 30 members prayed at a dozen schools.

"We've got the power to do something, not just to sit at home or in church talking about problems, but to do something," said church member Donna Hutchinson.

The church's pastor, the Rev. Bill Hilley, stopped to pray at several schools, including Riverside Middle School, once attended by his three daughters. "We thank you Lord for this school and the way its touched our daughters' lives. We give you praise for everything you have and will accomplish," he prayed.

The Rev. Hilley and his wife, Leila, continued to pray as they walked. Passing the teacher's parking, they prayed for the teachers' well-being. Passing the ball fields, they prayed for athletes. Passing the bus loop, they prayed for the drivers.

"Walking around and seeing the building you see things you wouldn't have otherwise thought to pray for," the Rev. Hilley said. "As Christians we possess the spirit of God and can take that with us where we go. We want the presence of God to be with our schools. He cares about our school systems."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.