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College Moms Pray - God Answers Their Prayers
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INNCounters – College Moms Pray - God Answers Their Prayers
By Cheryle M. Touchton
Director – Pocket Full of Change Ministries
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:14
Do you have a child in college? Pray for them. Even Mary, mother of the son of God, prayed for her son. When you visit them, attend church every time, even if your college student thinks he or she is too busy, grown up, intellectual, or independent to go with you. Let a church in their local area know about your college student and follow up with them to make sure they are reaching out to your beloved child. Pray constantly.
I live in a hotel in a college town. Every morning, Bob and I go down for breakfast and talk with the visitors who pass through our area. Abby looked too young to be the mother of the 3 little boys who were giving her a run for her money. Bob and I watched in amusement, as the youngest suddenly decided breakfast wasn’t as much fun as whatever he wanted to chase down the hall. Abby turned to the other two and said, “Stay!” She dashed off after her little lost lamb.
“Are they your brothers?” I asked when she returned with the recalcitrant child in tow.
“No,” she said sitting down wearily. “They are my cousins. They are visiting me.”
“Are you a student?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said. “A freshman.”
“Welcome to State College. Have you found a church yet?” I asked “We go to church right across the street from the campus – in the State Theater. Everyone there is your age – not my age. We would love to have you visit us.”
“You’re kidding,” she said. “What is the name of your church?”
“Calvary.”
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “My mother has visited there 3 times when she came to see me. She’s been trying to get me to attend.”
“She must be praying,” I said. “Her prayers brought me to you.” One of her charges darted away. She looked at me apologetically, grabbed the two remaining urchins and began chase. We didn’t see her again.
The next morning, I noticed a woman I hadn’t met before peacefully eating breakfast alone. “Where are you from?” I asked. Just as I spoke, the 3 little urchins from the day before raced into the room and attacked the breakfast bar.
“No!” she shouted as she dashed over to save our breakfast. It took a few minutes and a lot of effort but she got plates for all of them and returned to her table.
“I met them yesterday,” I said, laughing at their antics and assuming she was their mother. “I also met their cousin. You must be Abby’s aunt.”
“No,” she sighed. “I’m not their mother. I’m only their Aunt. “
“So you are Abby’s mother. Abby said you have visited our church, Calvary.”
She gasped and tears sprang into her eyes. “You are who invited Abby to church. I don’t know how to thank you. She is a freshman and has been having a hard time. I’ve visited Calvary 3 times but I can’t get Abby to go. I even talked to your pastor, Stacy, about her. I can’t believe you invited her to that same church. I’ve been praying so hard for her.”
“Stacy heads up my Life group,” I said. “I know him well. The best thing a mother can do for her college student is pray. God is sending people to take care of Abby so relax. I know it feels strange to give your daughter’s phone number to a stranger but pray about giving me a way to contact her again.”
“I will,” she promised as she gathered up her unruly herd and headed to her room.
A few minutes later, Abby’s mom returned alone. She walked over and handed me her precious daughter’s phone number. “I prayed about it and God said it was OK. Thank you. You can’t imagine what this means to me.” I stood up and hugged her as she cried.
I’ve talked to my Life Group about Abby. My Gathering Pastor, Stacy Sublett, remembered this mother. We had a moment basking in the wonder of how God worked all things together for Abby. We are going to do our best to be her family away from home. I've called Abby and when she gets back from the Thanksgiving Holiday, she says she will meet us at church. If you are the mother of a college student, follow this model.
1. Pray for your college student.
2. Go to church when you visit your college student – even if he or she doesn't go with you.
3. Let the church know about your college student.
4. Pray more for your college student.
That will work much better than nagging, begging, or preaching. God and Christ’s church will faithfully hear your prayers and respond. You and your college student will be amazed at the power of God. After all, God doesn't have any grandchildren.
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