Wahluke School District Prayer Vigil Aug. 25

MATTAWA, Wash. – The Wahluke School District will hold a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. on the first day of school Aug. 25 in the Wahluke High School gymnasium, immediately following student and parent orientations, organizers confirmed. 

Now in its second year, the event is being organized by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Coalition of Christian Congregations.  The vigil aims to seek divine protection and strength for students, teachers and families as the academic year begins in the Wahluke School District.

The announcement comes in the wake of a recent shooting in the area. Moses Lake Crimes Detectives (MLCD) are helping investigate a deadly shooting in Mattawa at Hundt Park on Sunday night. As of Friday no arrests have been made, making this prayer vigil organized by the Wahluke School District a high priority. Then again, prayer should always be that, and they’re doing it.

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Event Born From Loss

According to reports, Pam Thorsen, board secretary of the chamber, said the initiative was prompted by the previous year’s tragic loss of a young woman to fentanyl. “We… prayed for a safe school year,” she said of last year’s vigil. 

Thorsen described the gathering as non‑sectarian and inclusive: “It doesn’t matter if you’re Baptist or Mormon or whatever… If you believe in God and Jesus, you can play with us.” There is no fixed schedule for participating clergy; last year six or seven pastors led prayers, and approximately 200 people attended from the Wahluke School District community. 

Thorsen said she is hopeful that this demonstration of faith in a public school setting, unusual by local standards, could become a model for other communities.

On the District’s Facebook Page it relays the following:

Community Prayer Event: 7:00 PM at the WHS Gym (505 N Boundary Ave) – Join the Coalition of Christian Congregations for the 2nd Annual Prayer Gathering, an event for our community to come together to pray for the safety and success of our students, staff, and families.

We are excited to welcome everyone back and kick off another amazing year together!

Praying For Wahluke School District

Lord, we lift up the Wahluke School District to you today. Every student, every teacher, every family: We’re asking for your covering and your blessing. You are the God who holds it all together, and nothing that happens this school year is outside your hands.

Give students clear minds, courage when things get tough, and a passion to learn and grow. Strengthen teachers and staff with patience and wisdom, and let their classrooms be filled with kindness and encouragement. Lord, give parents and families steady faith and hearts anchored in your truth.

We ask for protection: Physical, emotional, and spiritual. Keep kids safe on their way to school, keep their friendships healthy, and keep their minds focused on what’s good and right. Surround this whole district with peace and unity that only you can bring.

Lord, let this year be more than academics within the Wahluke School District. Let it be a year where students know they are loved, valued, and never alone. Remind them that your presence goes with them into every hallway and classroom.

We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

This Prayer Alert is provided by Get Prayer Today to encourage communities of faith to lift up schools, families, and local leaders in prayer. We support all who turn to Christ in prayer and seek His guidance for their communities.