prayer snippets

Called to serve other students

‘It was very difficult time for me…’ shares N, a student in Eurasia, ‘moving to university, my roommates and classmates were not easy people to talk to and I did not have a friend who understood me. New city. No church. For the first time in my life I fell into depression and experienced very strong spiritual temptations.’  

But God worked through his sister’s fiancé to change his life. ‘He invited me to a church where I first met with a staff member of the local IFES movement. I was very impressed to know that people always pray for new students to come to know Christ.

‘I began to feel much better and I, too, felt a very strong calling to serve other students. I think that it’s God’s will for me to be his light in my university. I have found my calling in IFES.’

Praise God for his hand and calling on N’s life! Pray for this movement in Eurasia as they make the transition to a new General Secretary. Pray too for him and his family – that the Lord would bless them in this new place and grant them extra strength and support in their desire to serve students.

Equipping students in evangelism, bible study and mission

‘Gather, Grow, Go’ is the motto of The Hub, is a new initiative by IFES Ireland. Designed especially for Dublin Christian Unions, The Hub is a centralised meeting where students will receive training in the bible and evangelism, be challenged to think biblically about their engagement with culture and their courses, and also be able to share ideas and encouragements. The first meeting was on 2 October. Please pray that students will really grow in their understanding of the gospel and will go back to their campuses excited and energised to share the good news of Jesus!

Remember also the Dublin InterAction team as they started their weekly international café on 5 October. Pray for good friendships between students and local Christians – that as students experience Christian love and community the Lord by his spirit would open their hearts to the gospel.

Challenges continue in Nigeria

Please continue to pray for Nigeria after more violence was reported in the northern eastern part of the country with many students killed in their university residence. Pray for students who are at the heart of the conflict and whose lives might be in danger. May the Lord have mercy and turn the hearts of those involved to look to him for wisdom and guidance. Pray for NIFES, the IFES movement there: for wisdom and grace as they seek to be agents of peace and transformation in this challenging situation.