MOBILE, Ala. – The lights dim as quiet music fills the room. Conversations silence, heads bow, and hands lift as college students stand shoulder-to-shoulder and prepare their hearts and minds in readiness for what is to come.
Then, in unison, a chorus of voices fill the space and lift in praise to the One who has brought them all here tonight – to Prayer Room at the University of Mobile.
A Glimpse of Heaven
What is now a university-wide time of prayer and praise led by students started over 20 years ago in the Alabama School of the Arts. Before each performance, students would gather for a special time of prayer and worship they called “Prayer Room.”
“Prayer Room is the title that was given for the time that we would take to spend in the Lord’s presence and align our hearts before leading worship,” said Emma Heathershaw, a graduating senior and music major. “It has always been a really special time for us, and it was something that we wanted to bring to the entire campus community.”
At the last Prayer Room of spring semester, students – along with faculty and staff – moved freely around the room and prayed over friends and strangers. Embraces were exchanged, tears fell in awe and wonder of the Lord’s goodness. It was amid the sounds of joyful celebration and solemn adoration that a glimpse of what heaven must look like shone through – a crowd of people worshiping a worthy God.
Remembrance & Provision
The theme for this particular Prayer Room was remembrance and God’s provision, based on Joshua 4. In this chapter, God mandates the Israelites, His chosen people, to build an altar of stones as a monument that future generations can look upon and remember the Lord’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to them.
Abbie Maggio, assistant professor of worship leadership in the Alabama School of the Arts, said she encouraged students to look around them and see how the Lord was working in the hearts of their generation.
“This idea of the provision of God is one that multiple students said they had been thinking and praying about,” Maggio said.
Student leaders encouraged their peers to remember how God had provided for them by writing a word on their own stone of remembrance. One by one, individuals approached the tables stationed around the room, took a stone from a basket, and wrote down a testament to how God had provided for them.
Heathershaw said her testament was that “The Lord is my Keeper.”
“I remember when I was praying and believing in God to provide something for my family. I got to witness the Lord answer my request and provide in a really beautiful, special way. This, on top of many other examples, has just been another way the Lord has kept me,” she said.
Heathershaw said her biggest take-away from the night focused on remembrance and provision was this question: Will we remember His Son?
“When we are praying for an answer, when we’re looking at the lost, when we walk out of here, will we remember His Son? When we leave this room and there isn’t any music, will we remember His Son?
“Because that’s what it comes down to – that we remember the biggest way God has been faithful and provided for us is when He demonstrated His love by sending His Son, Jesus,” she said.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence “For Christ & His Kingdom.” With a vision to “Multiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,” the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, UM offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at https://umobile.edu/um-info/ and connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Noelle Foster is an intern in the Office of Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting along with a minor in History. When she is not studying or researching, Noelle enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.