72 Hours of Prayer

Beginning in the Spring of 2011, we pulled together as many Christian organizations that were willing and sparked a prayer initiative that has faithfully been brought back every semester since. It has been such a delight to see it unfold uniquely each time! This event is not about keeping a tradition, but instead a rhythm and reminder that the Body needs to be connected through prayer under the Godhead.

Kicking off our bi-annual event, our friends Mission 24 (an on-campus church) held their worship service outside.

Our hope is that this cultivates a lifestyle of prayer and each semester when we join together again that this could be a celebration and a time for the Spirit to pour out what has been building. On Sunday evening, November 11th, we set up two tents and a circle of chairs. 72 continuous hours of prayer began - through the night and on until dawn. Students, faculty, campus ministers joined to sing praises to God, encourage one another and show the campus that we are serious about our love for Jesus and He is serious about His love for them. Individuals would take hour-long slots each day Monday, November 12th - Wednesday, November 14th. Several students came to understand what it meant to have a relationship with God and have Him walk with them each day! Praise the Lord for new brothers and sisters!

Friends from Dallas House of Prayer came to teach sessions on Hearing God's Voice, the Spirit of Adoption, and Biblical Dream Interpretation. Any by-passer was welcome to walk through the prayer tent and engage in a 12-station labyrinth taking them through identifying sin issues, recognizing their need for the Cross of Christ, and laying their burdens down before Him to take on the free life He has given us.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:6-18

Here are the songs and artists that inspired our worship sessions out on campus: