In a week and a half, Stanford students will begin an academic year unlike any of the 129 before it. Only a few undergraduates with special circumstances will reside on campus; the rest will be scattered across the country and globe. The Stanford community will push technology to its limits in a valiant attempt to substitute physical with virtual presence. Please pray that the time required for these measures will be short, and that God will bring relief from the sickness, disunity, and hardship of these days!
But even now, we are not without hope. God can work in the midst of brokenness. Indeed, we might say it is his specialty. With the cross of Christ as our exemplar, we know God loves to bring light in the darkness, beauty from ashes, resurrection from death. Would you pray for his resurrection power to be at work in the lives of the Stanford students we serve and their families? Our God is able.
To that end, would you pray:
- For all our students, wherever they are. Some have decided to live together in small groups in various parts of the country and world. Others will stay home. Still others are taking a year off to pursue other opportunities. Please pray for whatever face-to-face community they have: that they will be safe, encouraged in the Lord, and focused on blessing others. Pray that God would provide significant friendships in a time when friendships are of paramount importance, but hard to find.
- For the incoming class of 2024, that God will be present with them to bless, even when others are distant; that they will navigate well this transition to adult life that is so difficult even in normal times; and that many, many, many of them will plug into one of the wonderful Christian communities that exist among Stanford’s student body.
- For our student leaders and for myself, that God will give us the strength, grace, and wisdom we need to lead in the days ahead. This year’s economic shifts hit some of CU’s largest supporters disproportionately hard, resulting in a loss of financial resources and the wrenching need for Christian Union to lay off Garrett, Jim, and Abi. Of ministry staff devoted to Stanford students, I alone remain and will be serving remotely. I, and especially our student leaders, will take on a much larger role in ministry and discipleship, and we need God’s help!
- For Garrett, Jim, and Abi, that God will lead them and their families through this painful transition to new heights of walking with Him. Join us in thanking God for their faithful and fruitful ministry; may God continue to bless it.
- And for all of us associated with Christian Union Caritas, as givers or receivers—past, present, or in the quarter to come—may God’s name be hallowed in our lives, may His will be done, and may His kingdom come.
So grateful for your partnership in prayer.
Justin Woyak
Senior Ministry Fellow
Christian Union Caritas
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
