January is an exciting time! For many churches, it's the time that veteran or newly-annointed VBS directors start to hunker down and gear up for what may be their churchs' largest event of the year. Each carefully checks her list for prospective VBS teachers and helpers and strategizes the most appealing approach to rope in these unsuspecting and helpless folks. Directors begin their quest for ideal decorations and props to help them turn their buildings into theme "wonderlands". Maps of their communities are laid out so they can best target the families they hope to invite and reach with their Vacation Bible Schools.

With so much activity, is it possible that some of us forget to promote our VBS to the most important audience of all? Many times, I found myself paying little attention to purposefully and passionately praying for my VBS. Sure, I would pray as the event edged closer and would remind my congregation to lift up the children we hoped would attend. But it wasn't the priority it deserved to be. God is more passionate for our VBS and what He wants to do through it than we could ever humanly be!

How do you pray for your VBS? As you plan for decorations, recruiting, crafts, worship, snacks and all of the other stuff, make your prayer plan just as, if not more important than the others. Recruit a group of prayer warriors at your church to pray daily. Ask each person in your congregation to pray for the child that will be seated during VBS right where they are seated now. Invite each adult Sunday school class to adopt a VBS class to pray for.

Pray that God will make His presence known each day of VBS - that it won't just be an expensive babysitting event.

Pray that God will bring children throughout the community - that all will feel welcomed and loved.

Pray that God will change the lives of children and families with the Gospel - that it won't be a divine opportunity wasted.

Pray that God will draw volunteers to serve - that all will use the gifts God has given them to minister.

Pray that God will glorify His name through your Vacation Bible School