Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians has been a great encouragement to our team and student leaders over the past few weeks. While restrictions due to the coronavirus threaten to limit our normal ministry activity at Cornell, we have been reminded to remain steadfast and to pray (1:2-3), stay in God’s Word (1:5-6), and walk in the power and joy of the Holy Spirit (1:5-6), so that the gospel of Christ will sound forth (1:8).
The majority of Cornell students have returned to Ithaca and face various limitations with respect to campus life. Stringent monitoring and testing, face masks, as well as restrictions against larger group gatherings (30 or more people) both on and off campus are unfortunately now the norm. There have been reports of positive Covid tests this past week, but thankfully nothing anywhere near the scale that would result in sending all students home. But there is a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty at Cornell, just as there is in many areas of the country, and around the world.
Please pray for us:
- For our student leaders, that they will have the strength to persevere and stay steadfast in their devotion to Christ and the ministry during this difficult time.
- For incoming freshmen, that they would find Christian community on campus and the local church even in the face of social restrictions.
- For our (mostly virtual) freshmen welcoming events, that they would transcend suboptimal circumstances (Zoom) and shine the light of Christ into the lives of incoming students. Pray that we will be able to connect one-on-one with many freshmen and develop lasting and meaningful friendships with them.
- For our Gospel of Mark Bible courses, that God would speak powerfully through his Word and transform our students into the image of his Son, and for his service.
- For Cornell University, for wisdom for the administration, and for many across the campus to be awakened to new life in Christ.
- For our staff, that we would have imagination, vision, wisdom, love, and joy by God’s Spirit during this uniquely challenging time, both for the sake of mentoring and teaching our students well and loving supporting one another.
Thank you so much for partnering with us in prayer for Cornell and the students of Christian Union Vita!
Jim Thomforde
Ministry Director
Christian Union at Cornell
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work at Cornell, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
