Every Christian university exists within a web of tensions. On one hand, it must meet the rigorous demands of higher education: accreditation, academic excellence, financial sustainability, competitive athletics, student recruitment, and professional training. On the other hand, it bears a sacred trust: to form disciples of Jesus Christ, cultivate leaders for church and society, and model education that is truly Christian in content and character. These dual commitments can stretch a university’s resources and test its resolve. Yet, if the university is to remain faithful to its calling, one element must never be neglected — prayer.
At Williams Baptist University, we often describe ourselves as “a Campus of Christian Purpose.” That phrase is not a slogan or marketing tagline. It is a declaration of identity, a reminder of mission, and a call to accountability. It asserts that our university is not merely a place of academic pursuit, but a community centered on Christ, ordered by His Word, and dependent on His presence. And nothing expresses or sustains that dependence more than prayer.
A Summer Prayer Service
This past summer, faculty and staff gathered in the chapel for a special service of worship and intercession. Led by a team of employee prayer leaders, the service became a powerful moment of being together in the presence of our Lord. As we prayed together—for students, faculty, coaches, staff, administrators, and even the facilities of our campus—the Spirit of God impressed upon me a vital truth: the strength of our mission does not rest in our abilities, but in the sustaining presence of Christ.
That morning, prayers were lifted for every part of university life. We prayed for new students to find their way into a community of faith and for returning students seeking renewed strength. We prayed for classrooms where minds are sharpened, for athletic fields and courts where discipline is forged, for leadership and work opportunities where character is formed, and for chapel and discipleship gatherings where hearts are transformed. We prayed for lost students to give their lives to Christ, and for believing students to grow deep in Christ. In short, we prayed for everything and everyone.
This was not simply a moment of emotional encouragement. It was spiritual fuel for the work before us. It reminded us that Christ must be involved in everything we do if we are to cultivate Christ-centered leaders who make a difference through their life work. Without Him, our efforts falter. With Him, every lecture, every practice, every project, and every ministry event becomes an act of worship.
A Moment of Conviction
That prayer service was not only encouraging—it was also convicting. As we prayed as a university community, the Lord made His presence known. In the midst of that prayer season, I was overwhelmed with the challenge – we need to do this more often. This must become a part of our culture, a part of our campus life. If prayer is indeed the heartbeat of Christian education, then we must be intentional in creating rhythms of prayer that shape our community.
It is easy—even at a Christian university—to attempt great things for God while failing to seek God. We can fill our days with teaching, coaching, planning, building, and leading, yet function as if His presence is optional. A university may carry the name “Christian” while in practice, it operates like any other institution. Prayer is a major safeguard against that drift.
Why Prayer Matters for Christian Higher Education
Prayer is not an add-on to Christian education; it is its lifeline. Without prayer, a university forfeits the very thing that makes it distinct: dependence upon Christ. Consider what prayer accomplishes in a campus community:
- Prayer centers us on God’s presence. It reminds faculty, staff, and students alike that Christ is not peripheral but central to our work. He is Lord of the classroom, the court, the dorm, and the boardroom.
- Prayer fuels our mission. When we pray for students, we are not simply asking for their academic success but for their spiritual transformation. Prayer aligns our work with God’s greater purposes.
- Prayer guards against pride. Human achievement tempts us to trust in ourselves. Prayer humbles us, acknowledging that apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5).
- Prayer builds community. As we intercede together, we are united not by task or title but by shared dependence on the Lord.
- Prayer opens the door for revival. Throughout history, movements of renewal in Christian institutions have begun with seasons of earnest prayer.
If we truly believe that Williams is a Campus of Christian Purpose, then prayer must be woven into the fabric of our life. A Christ-centered purpose cannot be sustained by human ingenuity alone; it must be empowered by the Spirit of God. This will only happen through prayer.
Building a Campus of Prayer
The challenge before us is to move beyond isolated moments of prayer and cultivate a culture of prayer. This means making prayer a defining rhythm of our life together. What might this look like?
- Regularly scheduled campus-wide prayer services where we seek God’s direction and blessing.
- Departmental prayer gatherings where faculty and staff intercede for students and programs.
- Athletic teams beginning and ending practices not only with perfunctory prayers but with intentional intercession for opponents, teammates, and coaches.
- Student organizations making prayer central to their activities.
- Trustees, alumni, and friends of the university covering the campus in ongoing prayer support.
When prayer becomes habitual, it reshapes the very atmosphere of a university. It communicates to students that faith is the foundation of their education. It signals to faculty and staff that their work is ministry, sustained by divine power. And it testifies to the watching world that this institution is truly committed to being a Campus of Christian Purpose.
Fulfilling the personal commitment I made this past summer, our university community gathered for a chapel prayer service at the start of the semester. This time, our student body joined our employees for a season of prayer. Campus leaders guided us in focused intercession, lifting prayers that covered every part of our university. And once again, God graciously revealed His presence among us through the power of prayer. It was incredible!
Prayer as Our Purpose
In the end, prayer is not merely something we do—it expresses who we are. As a Christian university, our purpose is to glorify Christ in every aspect of our mission. Prayer embodies that purpose. It acknowledges our dependence, seeks God’s wisdom, and invites His power to drive our mission.
We can design programs, build facilities, and launch initiatives. But without prayer, all our efforts risk becoming idols of human ambition. With prayer, even the smallest act—grading papers, practicing scales, preparing a meal, planting a seed, mentoring a student—can become a sacred act of worship.
To call ourselves a Campus of Christian Purpose is to commit ourselves to a life of prayer. For only through prayer will we remain faithful to Christ, empowered for mission, and fruitful in forming leaders who will make a difference through their life work.