DAY OF PRAYER FOR STUDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23221, 19 June 1937, Page 11

DAY OF PRAYER FOR STUDENTS

(Communicated) “ This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Can we honestly state that such is our own conviction as we gather to join in the day of prayer for students? It may be that the word “ victory ” has a mocking sound in our ears, hardly pressed as we are by the disturbing realities of the world. The seeming futility of much that we do oppresses many of us. Others among us are haunted by the sense of the insecurity of life. And we cannot help wondering whether the forces which shape the future are not those of political and social passion, rather than those of the Christian Gospel. But the kingdom which our Lord announced was to be founded on faith, and the victory of that kingdom would be shared by those who would follow Him, trusting utterly to God. Jesus Christ has overcome the world; the victory is won. Men can share in it by faith. It is in this faith that we turn to God in thanksgiving for the gifts we have received, and bring our needs before Him. All that God asks is that we should come before Him in faith, believing that before we call He will answer, and while we are vet speaking He will hear. The community for which we pray is a very diverse company of men and women, made up of students in universities, colleges and schools —students of different races and colours and habits of thought. Some are wealthy and secure, many are in poverty, and a few are in danger of their lives. But whatever may be their needs and ours, we remember them all in the presence of God in faith that He is sufficient for all things. The World’s Student Christian Federation itself is a body of students drawn together in one common purpose—to follow Christ as the one sure guide for all mankind in every sphere of thought and conduct. It is a comparatively small body set in the midst of the vast student field, with millions of students. Its role is to be a channel of the grace of God which our prayers must keep open. Therefore, for the federation as a whole, as for ourselves, we shall pray; “Lord, increase our faith.” And we will add: “ Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” As we gather this year on Sunday, June 20, we shall remember before God the many activities of the federation, conferences to be held, the federation staff—especially

Dr T. Z. Koo as he travels—and all the national movements, with their varied gifts and diverse needs. For the achievements of the past we rejoice before God, asking His pardon for all that has been amiss in the work that we have undertaken at His bidding. The future is in His hands; for the days that are yet to come we commend this community of faith into His keeping; we commend it in the faith that, though the tasks ahead may seem beyond our strength and the difficulties at times appear insurmountable, God, Who has begun this good work in us, will in His own time bring it to perfection. Thus we make our final prayer. May God so increase our faith that the federation may be used mightily for the carrying out of His purposes in the student world.