Sometimes we don’t know who we’re praying for.
When my Moms in Prayer (MIP) group prays for the University of New Hampshire, we can’t possibly pray for the 15,000 students by name. So, we pray for them in large groups: those in a degree program, or in a certain dorm, or connected to one of the campus ministries. We pray for the saved as a whole and the unsaved as a whole, thousands of what seems like faceless students without names. But to God, he knows each one. He knew them before one of their days came to be. Such was the case with Amy.*
Amy was a freshman ROTC cadet who responded “yes” to an invitation to a winter retreat. One night, on a frozen lake in January of 2023, she gave her life to Christ. She made a public declaration of that decision four months later in a 42-degree ocean when she joined 7 other students in the waters of baptism at the end of the semester.
In a 42-degree ocean, Amy joined 7 other students in the waters of baptism at the end of the semester.
Amy attended my church, but I did not know her. She wanted to attend our annual women’s retreat last November, but she didn’t have a roommate. I also didn’t have a roommate, so one of the ministry leaders asked if I would consider rooming with a UNH student. I agreed, expecting the Lord had plans for this divine appointment.
On the first evening of our retreat, I took Amy to dinner. I asked her to share her story and she enthusiastically shared the testimony that you read above. With great amazement, I realized God was allowing me the privilege to see the fruit of my prayers; our prayers. The UNH MIP group had prayed for Amy when she seemed to be a nameless, faceless student. We thanked God when all the students were baptized and still, we knew none of them. Then six months later, in an arrangement divinely orchestrated by my heavenly Father, I met one of the nameless and the faceless. I met one who the angels had rejoiced over 10 months earlier.
… I met one of the nameless and the faceless. I met one who the angels had rejoiced over 10 months earlier.
I saw Amy again a few weeks ago. She had decided to unenroll from school and pursue a different path forward. I told her I wanted to pray for her to send her off, unsure if we would ever see each other again. When I finished praying for her, she was crying. “Why are you crying?” I asked. “No one has ever prayed for me before,” was her response.
No, we don’t always see the answers to our prayers, especially as we pray for students we don’t know in schools that we might not have much access to. Be assured, God hears every prayer and He answers them. I just had the privilege to see one of those answers up close and personal.
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10
*name has been changed
pray with me
Lord, thank you for the women who faithfully gather to pray for children and schools around the world. I pray for the Christian moms who aren’t yet in a Moms in Prayer group to realize the great honor it is to pray for our own children and the many students and teachers at their schools or universities. Even though some may seem nameless and faceless, Lord, You know them well and desire each one to understand who You are, to accept You as Savior, and to serve You with great purpose. Continue to raise up Moms in Prayer groups to pray for students who desperately need Jesus and may Your will be accomplished in their lives, on earth as it is in heaven. May You bless us with a glimpse of the lives we are impacting through our prayers. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
How has God answered prayer for your child or a classmate? Comment below.
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Deb Turcotte serves as a New Hampshire Regional Coordinator for Moms in Prayer (MIP). She started praying with a MIP group 18 years earlier and currently leads a group that prays for the University of New Hampshire. She’s also a group leader in Women’s Bible Study at her church and uses her gift of encouragement whenever she has opportunity. Deb has been married to Len for 33 years and they have two adult children. She enjoys traveling with her husband (especially loving the Atlantic Provinces of Canada), one-on-one time with friends, and simply being in nature, marveling at God’s creation.