I say a little prayer for you

It's unfortunate that good-old-fashioned prayer meetings aren't so popular these days. Setting aside an hour or two for prayer is asking a little bit too much for most Christians, but one group of Marshall University students is bringing prayer back.

For a couple of weeks now, a group of about 30 students have decided unity is better than division and that prayer is better than indifference.

Since Monday, Christian Marshall students from various campus ministries have been meeting at noon in the Campus Christian Center to simply pray. The turnout has been impressive, with attendance averaging around 20 students per day. Students take turns praying out loud and also pray to themselves for about an hour.

It is a detriment for Christians to underestimate the power of prayer. The Bible is riddled with scriptures about it.

Matthew 21:22 says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Romans 12:12 says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."  

   
Ephesians 6:13 says, "And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."

Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

And James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

There are plenty more where that came from, but I'm sure you get the point by now. Prayer should be an integral part of Christians' lives because it really makes a difference and because it draws us closer to God.

But finding the time for prayer is often difficult for busy college students. So what is the solution? Prayer doesn't have to be restricted to you on your hands and knees alone in your room, while that is certainly a great way to do it!  Jesus said in Luke 18:1 that we should be in constant prayer, which means we can pray even when we are doing other things like walking to class, eating or even doing homework.

   Let me give you a disclaimer – I am certainly NOT someone who has mastered the art of praying at all times, but I'm working on it. Don't be discouraged because you have struggled with prayer in the past. Start where you are. God will honor your efforts today instead of focusing on yesterday's failures.

If you're interested in praying in a corporate environment, stop by the Campus Christian Center on weekdays at noon. It is a great way to incorporate prayer into your daily routine, even if you can't stay the entire time. Don't be afraid to try something new.  

Contact Morgan Unger at unger6@marshall.edu.