By Tim Arens, dean of students, Student Development
One of the things that I have appreciated about my time at Moody (27 years now) is the emphasis and commitment that is made to pray. One significant event that demonstrates this is our annual Day of Prayer held on the first Wednesday of March. This is a day on which classes are suspended and various opportunities are made for students, faculty and staff to pray corporately, in groups, and individually for the needs of Moody, Chicago and the world.
On the morning of this day everyone comes together for a two hour opening session during which we praise the Lord through music, scripture and prayer. We often break into small prayer groups during this time which give students an opportunity to pray with faculty and staff. I have been humbled and encouraged to hear the fervent prayers of our students as they pour their hearts out to the Lord on behalf of our community. They never cease to amaze me.
I have had the honor to witness how the students are positively affected by praying with faculty and staff who serve as models for effective prayer. Concurrently, the students have modeled for the faculty and staff the necessity to set aside dedicated times for prayer emphasis in the future. Over the years I have had many students comment to me that the Day of Prayer was just what they needed, at such a busy time of the semester, to be spiritually rejuvenated to better meet the challenges of life and academics.
I have been so blessed in my career at Moody to be involved with The Day of Prayer. It is a wonderful tradition that helps us all, students and staff, maintain the proper spiritual perspective. May God continue to bless the school that D.L. Moody founded as we continue to pray faithfully.
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