My day began earlier than usual for a Wednesday. Typically, this is my one day during the work week that I don’t have to wake up at 5:30am. My habit has been to stay up late on Tuesday and wake up Wednesday just in time to shower and make a mad dash for The Rock Office Hours at 9:30am. Today, however, I was up and on campus by 7am for what has potential to become a new habit. But first, let me back up a bit.
Last Saturday, our Core Group was supposed to meet at Memorial Union at 9:30am. Again, it was a small miracle that I was getting up early and making my way to campus on a Saturday morning. I don’t sleep till noon or anything but to be out of the apartment that early is not something that usually happens.
Unfortunately, I found myself at an empty table. Somehow all four other guys completely forgot that we had scheduled Core Group just two days before. That was a small lesson in communication right there, but that wasn’t the major opportunity that came from this small disappointment.
Any other morning, I might have gone back to the apartment to hang out with Aimee. However, she was in St Charles the past weekend and I had nothing but time on my hands that morning. Also, I had the presence of mind to bring my bible with me that morning. So, in preparation for an upcoming Bible Survey class, I cracked it open and continued reading through Genesis. I read Genesis for an hour sitting there in that quiet student union with a tall cup of Starbucks coffee keeping me company.
As I read my heart was tugged to do something I rarely do – go on a prayer walk. The Lord pressed this on me as an opportunity to meet with him and to regain some perspective. Once I finished the coffee I decided to make a path for the Plaza dorms: Excellence, Responsibility, Discovery and Respect.
Along the way, I felt flooded with things to pray about.
I prayed that we would not be overwhelmed with the size of campus but seize the unique opportunity that such a high concentration of people in a square mile brings.
- I prayed that Christ followers would be strengthened in their confidence and that they would be bold in sharing their faith.
- I prayed that the broken-hearted would be reached and that the Lord would draw them close as they found hope in the Gospel.
- I prayed that our church would be unified and devoted to bringing the kingdom of God to this campus.
- I prayed that our young men would step up and not waste their time in foolish talk but that they would pursue godliness and righteousness.
As I came upon the Plaza area, I had a powerful moment as the Lord really placed the students in this area on my heart. It wasn’t a “burden lifted off my shoulders” moment but rather God handing me that weight. I was reminded again that my heart should be burdened for these students and troubled that the kingdom is not represented very well there. He showed me the hope that we have seen and he showed me the fight that is ahead. My heart ached for students who did not know the Lord as I passed by areas that we’ve tried for outreach. I walked past our meeting place and He challenged me to dream and pray over the spiritual direction of the group from here through the end of the semester.
The rest of my walk was an encouragement as well. I’m toying with the idea of having these more consistently. As I said, I was up again early this morning. I was joined this morning by Travis this time, a student leader in our group, on another prayer walk. We took a similar path and I was encouraged once again by the way the Lord spoke to us along the way.
Laboring in prayer with students is something that brings my heart joy and this morning was no exception. As Travis spoke truth along our walk, I began to feel that the Lord wants me to pursue more of these moments. Not only was this another great start to the day but it was simultaneously a time of discipleship.
I think I could get used to prayer walks.
Hey everyone!
