December 2014
Finals are here. Alongside 14,000 other Cornell undergrads, those students involved in our ministry have burrowed themselves into libraries under mountains of notes where they guzzle coffee into the morning hours. At first glance, one might not pick one of our students out from the hoards of other tired faces, but under the surface, there is a remarkable difference. C.S. Lewis describes it best:
"[I]f you have really handed yourself over to [Christ], it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you." ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
This month, we witness gleam after gleam of Heaven through the actions of students who are availing themselves of the resources of the ministry here. Pray that they claim their true identity in Christ, not in academic success. Pray that they persevere in their labor "as unto the Lord." Pray that they find in the grace of God a "less worried way," the way of joy through finals.
A few weeks ago, students spent hours in the busiest plaza on campus to pass out 1,000 free copies of Mere Christianity. The following week, they invited recipients to hear a local pastor present highlights of the book in the context of his own journey to faith. The students' choice of this book reflects values that are becoming increasingly precious to them: engaging their peers intellectually in matters of faith and fostering unity of the church in the gospel of Christ. Please pray for students to trump the status quo with the hope of Jesus, especially during finals. And praise God for ongoing unity among the various Christian campus organizations.
We've also seen our students come alongside one another to live out the message at the conclusion of a study of Hebrews, to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Also, please pray for them as they return home this Christmas break. Many have expressed a desire to grow in their devotion to Christ over the vacation rather than reverting to old habits in old settings. Pray as they continue to pursue purity in romantic relationships, to envision ways God's principles can be applied to their respective career paths, and for the boldness to stand out from their peers in their answer to stress. Pray they live in a way that makes others ask about the gleam of hope inside them.
Thank you for coming alongside us and joining us this semester! We couldn't do without your prayers.
Merry Christmas!!
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Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work at Cornell, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
