Phil Bishop,
Professor of Kinesiology,
University of Alabama
[Sept. 10, 2013]–
In looking back at my own 30+ years as a Christian faculty member, I have done a lot of ministry activities. I have introduced myself as a Christian at the start of the semester, put together a Christian talk in my specialty, made numerous international mission trips, worked with Cru summer project teams, and worked with several campus ministries. I have enjoyed all those things and highly recommend them.
However, perhaps the most significant thing I have done on my campus is to meet weekly on campus with two or three colleagues for prayer focused on our campus.
I recently read this story in Robert Morgan’s book, All to Jesus.
In the late 18th century, Christianity was at a low tide in America. The French enlightenment had been raging for many years; anti-church and anti-Christian sentiments flourished–especially in the colleges of the country. In spite of these odds, one young student, Carey Allen came to Christ while at the fledgling Hampden Sydney College in Virginia (founded in 1775). Two other students, William Hill and James Blythe became Christians, found Carey Allen and began meeting for prayer. Fellow students noticed the little prayer meeting, often harassing them. Yet, perhaps as a result of their continued prayer together, a work of revival broke out on the campus and half the students converted to Christ. A spiritual renewal soon broke out at other colleges and the foundation was laid for the Great Revival of 1800.
Such stories reflect what the historians of revival have long noticed–a work of God almost always begins with prayer. Tim Keller writes: ” Throughout the Old and New Testaments and church history, every spiritual awakening was founded on corporate, prevailing, intensive, kingdom-centered prayer. We cannot create spiritual renewal by ourselves, but we can ‘prepare the altar’ and ask God to send his Holy Spirit to change our hearts, our churches, and our communities.”
You may not know more than one or two Christians on your campus, or you may know scores. If you will commit to pray regularly with one or more other believers, you’ll find your own heart changed and if God wills it, see greater impact on your campus. I often remind myself of Jesus’ words: “… where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:20).
Let me encourage you to find a colleague or two and agree to meet regularly for 30 min or an hour, and pray for your campus. If other faculty or students are already meeting for prayer, why not join them?
Who knows what God might start from that small beginning?
(c) Phil Bishop 2013