As one of the most turbulent years in recent memory draws near to a close, the ministry would love support in prayer for the Stanford students CU Caritas serves. They are in the final stretches of this fall quarter, which ends November 20.
May God grant these students the strength to do their best as they culminate their academic and other responsibilities this quarter. And may he give them the grace to evaluate their performance not based on how they do compared to others, but on the basis of what Christ has done for them. And for the whole Stanford community—instead of isolation, may God grant genuine community; instead of division, may God grant unity and love; instead of fear, may God grant faith and hope.
Also worthy of your prayers, on November 12 we have the privilege of joining with students across the campuses where Christian Union serves for a virtual event with Vince Vitale and Abdu Murray of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Students at Yale are spearheading the outreach. Please pray for our efforts to encourage Stanford community members to attend, and that God would be glorified and people would be helped on November 12.
Lastly, our fourth child was just born on October 27! Please pray for Liv, that she would be healthy and strong, and that she would soon know the incredible love that God has for her in Jesus Christ. She is wonderful. Please also pray for the rest of our family—and especially my wife, Kate—as we care for Liv.
And I can’t help but include this incredible passage from Mark that we studied in our most recent Bible course:
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:34-38).
I find these among the most challenging and the most hopeful words ever spoken. Lord Jesus, please give us the strength to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow you! Give us the strength to lose our lives for your sake, that we may save them.
We are so grateful to God for your partnership in prayer.
Warmly,
Justin Woyak
Senior Ministry Fellow
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
