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Testimonies About the Collegiate Day of Prayer

By God's grace several different campus ministries and prayer initiatives worked together to reestablish the Collegiate Day of Prayer on February, 25th, 2010. That first year, over 500 campuses, prayer groups, or churches participated in a united prayer effort throughout approximately 46 states. We are very thankful for everyone's help and contribution.

As we unite in prayer again on February 24th, 2011, we will post testimonies here from The Collegiate Day of Prayer. What did God do on your campus? Please tell us about your own personal experience with the Collegiate Day of Prayer! To share your story click here.

Casey from Northern Illinois University
On the collegiate day of prayer, a total of three people from Campus Missions International came together in the Martin Luther King Commons area at Northern Illinois University to pray through our lunch hour. We were so inspired by doing so, that we have made this a meeting every Thursday.   We hope to continue until the end of the school year and who knows after that.  We are believing that more will join and that God will hear our prayers and send revival to NIU!!!

Johanna, The University of Texas
We had people praying in front of our main tower for 24 hours on that Thursday, from many different ministries. Sometimes there were only 2 people, sometimes there were groups of 30 people. From 5-7pm we had a prayer walk and I heard that about 50 people from many different ministries joined together for this. Also, in the evening, one of the ministries on campus had an event called "Not For Sale" about human trafficking and they said 32 people gave their lives to the Lord. From 10pm to midnight, probably about a hundred students gathered in the middle of campus to worship God and cry out to him in prayer according to II Chronicles 7:14. It was beautiful and encouraging. Only God knows all that really happened this night. To continue what happened, we have been worshipping at the main tower every other Tuesday.

Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Boston University
There was such a sense of unity and the presence of the Spirit. On February 25th, the weather was really bad. It was pouring and very windy. We were expecting 120 people but because of the weather we were a little worried that some people wouldn't be able to show up, but for some reason we still had a peace about that night, that God was in control and that He works everything for the good of those who love him. We ended up still having a great showing with such a beautiful diversity. Students from several different campuses, grad students, local church pastors, Campus America staff and YWAMers as well as a wide variety of campus Christian fellowships. We started the night with writing on the blackboard all the different campus, churches, Christian fellowships and organization present and it was so great to see such diversity. We had Trent Sheppard speak on the history of the collegiate day of prayer as well as the history of the first universities in America. We then meditated on "my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations" and went right into worship intermingled with liturgy/corporate prayer. We then had individual time to meditate on Isaiah 61:1-4. We had the verse spread out on 5 large sheets of paper hung across the room with artistic drawings on each of them and people were free to roam around the room and write prayers on the posters. We closed with having a short performance from a Christian acappella group and stood in a circle all holding hands to recite Isaiah 61:1-4 in one voice and pray together and then we ended with the Lord's prayer. At the end we all started clapping and the energy and passion and joy in the room was so thick. Every time the applause would soften just a little we would erupt again in clapping and cheering and joyful laughter. It was a night of hope and encouragement that God was working in Harvard. Our hearts are now renewed with hope and eagerly expectant for all that God has in store for us in this season.

Hope College, Holland, MI
We met in a basement chapel on the campus of Hope College. There were mostly students, but also several alumni, teachers, faculty, and campus ministry staff prayed throughout the day in hour segments for a continuous 24 hours. We prayed in a continuous 24 hour prayer room, using conversational prayer, individual silent prayer, worship with guitar and other music, praying through scripture and several other styles. We prayed for conviction of sin, healing of brokenness and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we may live boldly and our lives would be transformed. In particular we felt that God was drawing us as a campus to come together to pray more often. That is starting to happen with a concert of prayer happening this week. My personal highlight was the late morning hour I led corporate prayer through the suggestions of "The collegiate day of prayer" website and corresponding scripture. I met teachers and alumni who were strong prayer warriors praying for our campus that I had not known even existed. We are now continuing to pray as we did that day, beginning with a concert of prayer this week.

Sherei from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
Last time we did the prayer tent, it took WEEKS to process. This time around, we had short notice, but knew the lord was asking us to put it up on the Collegiate Day of Prayer. We attempted to get permission the afternoon of the 24th, but the scheduling office on campus was closed. So, at 8 am on Feb 25, we went to the offices again, and gave our feeble petition. We wanted to do it on the greens, which is a grassy area on campus that gets allot of traffic. we were DENIED completely (it takes too long to process the request, the notice wasn't enough time), but right before I was about to leave the office the office manager said there was, surprisingly, an opening in front of the Hill University Center (the busiest place on campus and the busiest place in the city). He said it would be a lot more cramped there, but we could have it if we wanted. YES!

It was even better than the greens... God had a plan. So, we gathered the tent and started to set it up..its a 12by20 tent..and realized we didn't have the white cover to COVER the tent. so, while a team left to go get the cover, we set up the inside! We began to open air worship, and many people lingered outside and were drawn to our open tent... My favorite part about the day was seeing many of our Muslim friends (UAB has a large Muslim population) linger outside of the tent. Jesus, we want our Muslim friends to KNOW you! God is bringing awakening to UAB and Alabama, this year!

Capital University, Columbus, OH
We met in our Campus Chapel.. We had near 20 people representing different ministries go on a prayer walk in the evening. We prayed for REVIVAL in our daily lives. Not just one big event, but walking daily in revival. We feel like God wants us to pray for one person to be saved a day! It hasn't happened yet, but we want it to. The prayer walk was very encouraging. Many people showed up from many different Ministries on campus. It was cool to see people who I've never met, praying for our campus. God is good! He is on the move!

The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
We met on the campus in the middle of the battalion on the what we call the "Quad". All were cadets and we had many groups praying that day - Cadets came from all the battalions. Over 200 cadets prayed. We prayed for our country.

Tangeman University Center at the University of Cincinnati
We had around 60 college students and a few of us old timer staff guys. At out weekly worship meeting we focused on prayer. We stuck to the major themes suggested by the website... Open, Open, Open. Students were praying for students, faculty, staff, the community and for a strong movement of God across our campuses. Thanks for leading out in this effort.


Michigan State University, East Lansing MI
We met In a classroom on the campus of Michigan State University. There were about 30 people at the meeting. It was a mix of students and staffers from four different campus ministries, most of whom had never met before. It was beautiful to see them gather in one accord to pray for the campus. We used the prayer points that were on the Collegiate Day of Prayer website, and mixed it with worship songs. It worked out really well. There was a real sense of unity and faith for revival and awakening to happen here. We had small group prayer time at the end, and our final worship song and prayer time was very powerful. It was like Psalm 133, a commanded blessing when we come together in unity. There is already talk of doing it annually. And doing this event has already spurred growth in the prayer movement on our campus (The Furnace at MSU). All our weekly prayer meetings have grown and had new people in attendance as a direct result of the CDOP. We're excited!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),Cambridge, MA
We had a worship-prayer meeting in the morning, prayer walk, and prayer at strategic location on campus. There was something about dedicating our campus to God and calling up God's promises. The highlight was at the end of our time when we were on our knees outside a main lobby dedicating our campus to God, exalting Him, proclaiming His coming redemption of the campus.

University of Arizona
We met on campus outside the steps of Old Main, the first building built at the University of Arizona. It is in the center of campus near the food court and the main stretch of grass. About 30 people filtered in and out of prayer with us. Most of them were students but we did get a few ministry staff and church members. Some major themes that we prayed over was to really ask God to develop His heart for UA in us. That our hearts would break for what His heart breaks for; that we would rejoice over what He rejoices over. We asked also for God's love to break away the bondage and the blinders on our campus. It was really cool just gathering together with people from several different ministries on campus and sitting in a circle on the ground in public and we corporately adored our Daddy in heaven. Each prayer was building off the other prayers and encouraging us to ask for great things!

Warner University, Lake Wales, FL
We met in our Campus Coffee House. There were 13 in attendance; 1 professor and 12 students. We prayed for prayed for renewal and revival on University Campuses across our nation. We prayed for Administrators, Faculty, Staff and Students. I enjoyed hearing the students pray from their hearts for this generation! "Sometimes we get the feeling that we are the only ones praying or concerned...like Elijah. I brought the list from the Website of all the Universities and Agencies that were participating that day and shared the numbers with our students. This was to remind them that we were not alone. Our small group in the Coffee House of Warner University was praying in concert with many other groups that day! We must not lose perspective.

The University of Illinois at Chicago
We met at the Student Center with approximately 17 people who came and went during the prayer time. Students, campus ministers and church staff came to the prayer meeting. Some in our group feel led to start having a monthly non-group prayer meeting, starting next month. We are trying to unite the different groups on campus, others (not present) have started two all group worship services. My favorite part is when everyone joined in on the second verse of a worship song; when afterwards, others wanted to keep it going with a monthly all campus prayer meeting. I like the fact that this is was a nationwide movement of prayer for our schools, colleges and universities. It allowed different groups of Christians to come together with one heart and pray. It opens the doors to other schools for what God can do on our campus as well.

My prayer is that more churches would become involved in mobilizing students on their campuses. Maybe using the church list you developed, churches can help students start prayer meetings on their campus. Inviting Christians from other organizations allows others to see love rather than division. "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35.

Winona State University, Winona, MN
We prayed in the Courtyard of the campus with about 40-50 people. They were mostly students, a few pastors, and a few professors. We prayed for unity amongst the college ministries and the hearts of students to be open to receive the gospel. We also prayed for Christian students and professors to stand up for Jesus. He is mighty to save! We sang the chorus of that song out loud at the end...it was incredible, because God had spoken to me to have everyone sing that song, but I didn't say anything right away and then 10 seconds later another campus ministry leader friend of mine said, "can we sing the chorus of Mighty to Save?" I was floored at how amazing God is! My favorite part was praying in the center of campus, with students from all different ministries, including campus ministers, pastors, professors. It was the start of something that God is wanting us to do on the campus.

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
We prayed in a room in the main student center with 10+ students, one parent and one campus minister. We opened up with popcorn prayer that followed the themes of open heaven, open heart, and open hand. For the second half of the time we broke up into smaller groups to pray for whatever God was laying on our hearts. We prayed for Revival and Awakening at Mason and universities throughout the country. Many of the students prayed that Christians on campuses would have a more passionate pursuit of God, as well as a new boldness to share the Gospel in word and deed. I believe the students enjoyed praying with one another, seeing Christians from other groups with similar passions for Revival, and connecting to a nationwide day of prayer for college students. I'm excited for next year. I didn't find out about the CDOP until the end of January, which didn't give me much time to get things started. But next year we will be able to plan ahead.

University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
We met on the University of North Florida Campus in a huge auditorium classroom. There were over 50 students and all of our campus ministries were represented. It was AMAZING. All denominations came too! We prayed for our generation to have an awakening and our campus to have an awakening and a revival. We all sang praise and worshiped together. We had already planned this worship night thing and then found out it was Collegiate Day of Prayer. So we all came together to pray as a whole body of Christ on campus.

University of Tennessee
We met at the Campus House of Prayer at the University of Tennessee. Over 200 students along with some campus ministry staff, a group of high school students, adult intercessors from around our city and some church staff. All total over 300 participated. We had a 100 Hours of continuous prayer that began on Sunday, Feb. 21st and concluded at midnight the evening of the 25th. God spoke clearly throughout the week that His heart is for an inter-generational partnership. We saw more generations together praying than ever before. Another major theme was praying against distractions - too many students are distracted, even Christian students, when it comes to prayer. Jesus' admonition to "shut the door" when you pray was a major theme. Another major theme was boldness and courage to be missional. Too many to name, but a few were: (1) students praying for ministry leaders and for the generation coming behind them (2) city intercessors praying for students (3)multi-denominational worship and prayer in a total spirit of unity. Our expectations were exceeded! God met us powerfully, our entire 100 Hours of prayer was covered by students and city intercessors.

University of California, Berkeley
We gathered at the UC Berkeley's flagpole and sat on the ground. 8 students + 2 campus ministers. We prayed and sang praises with a guitar. We confessed the sins of the school and prayed for an anointing upon the campus. The highpoint of the prayer time was hearing students share their hearts for their school. One student poured out her water bottle on the ground near where we prayed and asked for cleansing and renewal for UC Berkeley - It was one of the most beautiful, heartfelt prayers I've ever heard prayed for Cal.

University of North Dakota
We met at our spiritual center on campus in the UND public building / chapel. We had about 15 people praying. We had a mix of students, a faculty member, half of the campus ministry leaders of our campus and a pastor. We had some worship followed by corporate prayer. W prayed for unity, unity and unity of the church on the Campus... For God's cry, heart and dream to see His people as one. I was encouraged at seeing six different college ministries represented. First time (that I'm aware of) that's happened on our campus.