Week of Prayer or Presence?

Each semester Andrews University holds a week of prayer that focuses on a certain theme or topic, and for this semester the focus is activating our faith. This week has an interesting component of different speakers at each meeting, rather than one speaker. While all of these truths hold, the more important element to consider is whether students truly gain from attending week of prayer or if it is merely an easy way to meet the ever-unavoidable co-curricular credit semesterly quota. In order to gain insight into the student body’s thoughts on Week of Prayer and their experience, a handful of students were asked to express their point of view.

“I have been going to the week of prayer per se, but I would mainly stay behind or in the lobby because the theme of this week and the way they preach doesn't call me. I was excited just the first day because a person I admire was going to preach, but the con was that it took longer than it was supposed to be. Besides, every time week of prayer usually happens, it is pretty much more stressful as professors begin to give more or complex homework, so I use this time to get some stuff done while I get a co-curricular. 

Also, it feels like every time they do a week of prayer they use it as propaganda for other stuff such as Change Day or student missions, which makes it less attractive. I wish they talked about more interesting topics other than "This is your call" every time.”

Aiko Ayala (junior, music performance)

“Week of prayer is a great week for students to gather together and hear someone’s experience as to how God has worked through someone’s life.” 

Hope Morara (junior, social work and Spanish) 

“The intention of week of prayer seems to be to instill more spirituality in the student body, but practically it just gives more opportunity for co-curricular credits to fulfill our quota. I think this underlying incentive to attend debases the authenticity of the experience, which makes it seem a bit artificial.” Audrey Lim (freshman, sociology)

“I have enjoyed the insight of the student-led week of prayer! It’s nice seeing different peers leading out. However, I think I get lost in some of the stories because they all don’t have a certain flow. It’s kind of hard to focus, as well, because of the amount of people that are in the space. Everyone is talking, especially if you sit in the back. I think the heart of it is there, but it’s hard to get people to pay attention, unfortunately. I almost wish we had some more interactive elements such as a video or a skit or something that could be a lot of the message to engage people.” Lexi Dunham (junior, psychology)

“I see no value in week of prayer. The experience has not helped my sensory overload given how loud things tend to be. My only purpose for attending week of prayer was to get cocurricular, which is its own rats' nest.” Johann Cheng (sophomore, communications)

“The significance of the week of prayer is that it is the only time in the semester in which class times are moved around, students are getting up earlier, and a whole week is dedicated, so that we can all come to PMC and worship. During this time the best speakers and worship arrangements should be made because the attendance is high and this week holds value. As for my personal experience with week of prayer, it seems as though there is more singing than speaker time. Personal testimonies are good, but there needs to be a revival. Week of prayer should be a revival, not a concert or another lecture students dread. Students should be excited to attend the next one because the speaker is going in-depth and preaching the word of God. I have yet to see a speaker this week of prayer speak directly from the Bible. Use the Bible from start to finish. The message needs to be referencing the Bible because that is the basis of our beliefs. Why should I listen to a Christian go up and speak when they do not refer to the Bible once? The speakers need to be excited to be there. There needs to be consistency. Week of prayer, and there is a lack of prayer. The speaker sometimes doesn't even end with prayer and students are dismissed. Instead, maybe have a day in the week where students get together and everyone prays for one another. Maybe there can be one topic that is stressed throughout the week of prayer which makes it memorable?”

Reagan Westerman (sophomore, psychology)

“I think the possible significance is undercut by the co-curricular education requirements. Many people attend week of prayer merely because without it they would be unable to fulfill their co-curricular requirements, and as a result, half of the sanctuary is full of people with laptops out and headphones in. I think that week of prayer has the potential to be meaningful to a lot of people, but the only way to make that happen is to make it so good that you want to go for its own sake, not just to avoid a fine.” 

Braeden Peterson (junior, mathematics and physics)

“I definitely think it’s an important week to have for students to take some time during school and devote our attention to spiritual growth. Personally, throughout my years here, week of prayer is kind of passive, nothing too impactful or significantly moving. I do feel it’s a good concept to have, but also it can feel more like a chore to go rather than truly wanting to attend and listen to the sermons. Despite that though, this week has had some important lessons on faith and life in general, that I did enjoy. Overall, week of prayer can have a positive impact on the student body, but I think the fact that we “have” to go for credit can diminish the spiritual significance of it.” Jacob Kim (junior, psychology)

“I did not go to week of prayer much to be honest. I chose not to go one day because it was during my lunch break. I know we’re supposed to account for that when making our schedules, but my normal schedule has a break at the 11:30 period that I didn’t get this week, and some days I have classes/labs after that. For example, on Mondays, I typically have either class or work from 8:30 am-9:30 pm with a break around 11:30 for lunch so in order to attend week of prayer I planned to skip my lunch and did not want to do that any other day of the week after. I think the services are enjoyable but sometimes they just don’t fit into my schedule.” Sara Hamstra (junior, medical laboratory science)

These responses show that students have a variety of feelings about this week of prayer. As we discuss the spiritual life of our campus as well as co-curricular requirements, it’s important to take in a variety of opinions from our student body in order to foster a more engaging campus atmosphere. Hopefully readers were able to gain new perspectives about Andrews’ week of prayer through others’ thoughts on our campus spiritual life!