In what has become his classic work, The Reason for God, Tim Keller offers a compelling picture of the nature of faith: “It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you. Strong faith in a weak branch is fatally inferior to weak faith in a strong branch.”
This image of strong faith grasping hold of a weak branch could certainly apply to the spiritual climate on college campuses. Students, regardless of religious upbringing, often enter college only to find themselves hanging on desperately to the weak branches of achievement, drugs and alcohol, the culture of reckless relationships and many more. The task for those of us who seek to serve these students is not to strengthen their grip on a weak branch, but to guide them to the One whom Isaiah calls “the branch of the Lord… beautiful and glorious,” and find in Jesus the true object of faith, even with our feeble grasp.
As our students finish out the final weeks of their year, please join us in prayer for the following:
- Pray for endurance and a strong finish for students this spring quarter, not only to wrap up their academics well, but also to seek harmony in their relationships at school before transitioning for the summer.
- Pray for new student leaders as they gear up for the new roles they’ve stepped up to fill.
- Pray for non-Christian friends of students who have been coming to our gatherings this quarter.
- Pray for our final large group gathering, Venture, that students and leaders will experience great fellowship and gratefulness for where God has led us in our second year at Stanford!
- Pray for our students as they head out for their summer plans in a few weeks. Each of them will be given a copy of The Reason for God. Pray for a rich response to their reading.
We are indeed grateful for God’s lead, and for your continued partnership with the work of the gospel here at Stanford.
Grateful for your partnership in the gospel,
Garrett Brown
Ministry Director
Christian Union Caritas
2431 Park Blvd
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
