As Together Chicago, we believe change in our city’s schools begins with prayerful presence—neighbors on the corner, standing in agreement for students, staff, and families. Love Your School Prayer Corners (LYSPC) was born from that conviction, and from a long journey the Lord has been writing in Chicago.
The genesis: from a starry night to Chicago’s corners
Our colleague Kimberly Harshman traces the story back to a youth camp in Michigan in 1993. “I walked outside, sat on a boulder, looked up at the night sky, and made a commitment to the Lord to partner with Him and his love for children and teens.” That commitment carried her through years of youth ministry in the Philippines, Mexico, and inner-city Detroit; the founding of Commissionary Kids and XP56; and seven formative years at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City.
“Nothing good happens without prayer,” Kimberly says. “Prayer is the government of God… We will not see justice without prayer.”
In 2015, during a layover in Chicago after a trip to India, she sensed the Lord’s invitation to “come and build the house of prayer in Chicago.” She moved here in 2016. While on an extended fast in the fall of 2022, the Holy Spirit gave her the vision for Love Your School Prayer Corners. She shared it with Together Chicago’s leadership—co-founders David Dillon and Michael Allen, and Education Director Damien Howard—and we embraced LYSPC as the first on-ramp to adopting a neighborhood school through our Education initiatives.
How it works: not an event, but a stance
LYSPC isn’t a rally or program. It’s a simple, steady stance: two or three believers agreeing together on a corner near a school (Matthew 18:19–20). A Love Your School Prayer Champion chooses a day and time, meets a prayer buddy (or two), and prays for 15–30 minutes. Most Champions live close by and simply walk to their corner. Throughout the year, some pray the Lord’s Prayer and occasionally take communion together.
Men of God Ministry has amplified this rhythm citywide by visiting a different school every Friday. As Amos from Men of God put it, “We feel that the students need to know that someone cares, and that they need to be encouraged through prayer.” They’ve seen tangible impact:
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“Wendell Phillips Academy High School: the principal invited us to their end-of-school picnic, where many students came to us and expressed their gratitude for our presence.”
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“Harlem High School: we were able to pray with a young man who had a gun. Because of our prayers and counsel he returned home and did not proceed with his intentions.”
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And the moments that keep them going: “We have seen students moved to tears after accepting Christ which is always a God moment to me.”
Prayer Champions also build bridges to school staff. Ruth Lamour, who leads a team of five at Catalyst Circle Rock, shared: “We have contacted the school administration to let them know we are praying for them and to invite them to share prayer requests. Later in the year, we reach back out for answers to prayer requests and any more requests.”
We were able to pray with a young man who had a gun. Because of our prayers and counsel he returned home and did not proceed with his intentions.
The challenge: praying by faith, not by sight
One of the biggest hurdles is momentum—believing prayer is changing the spiritual atmosphere even when results aren’t immediately visible. Kimberly names it plainly: “It’s human nature to want to see results and to see them immediately… My constant prayer is that God would fill his people’s hearts with faith to believe for the impossible as they pray.”
Practical barriers arise, too. Amos notes that openness “varies from school to school and depends on the principal,” and sometimes officials oppose public prayer near students. Still, the invitation remains: persevere, love well, and pray in agreement for protection, wisdom, and hope.
The rhythm: building seasons of prayer for CPS
Since launching in 2022, the Lord has deepened LYSPC with a “seasonal rhythm”: our 21-day Back-to-School fast, Monday night prayer calls, the Summer Prayer Challenge, and an annual prayer walk around CPS Headquarters. We’re collaborating with Children’s Evangelism Fellowship to see Bible Clubs wherever there’s a Prayer Corner, and we continue to help churches adopt nearby schools for wraparound support.
Kimberly’s expectation is clear: “The result of prayer is always justice and the salvation of souls. I expect revival from the prayer movement and for many teachers and students to come into the Kingdom of God.”
Step onto the corner with us
If your heart is stirred for Chicago’s students and schools, the first step is beautifully simple—become a Love Your School Prayer Champion. Pick a corner by your neighborhood school. Invite a friend. Pray 15–30 minutes each week. Build a relationship with the school. Follow up on requests. Trust God for what you can’t see yet.
Amos’s advice for getting started couldn’t be better: “Show up.”
If you’re ready to adopt a school through Together Chicago’s Education initiatives—or to learn more about Love Your School Prayer Corners—sign up here.
