United in 24 hours of prayer

One of Oklahoma Christian University’s social clubs, Alpha Gamma Omega, recently hosted a 24 hour prayer chain. The event was designed for the campus community to unite and experience the power of prayer together.

Josh Bailey, one of Alpha’s sponsors, explained the purpose behind the event.

“Alpha wanted to use the 24 Hours of Prayer to help encourage a different type of prayer that was not only longer in duration, but outwardly focused and more intentional in nature,” Bailey said. “Handouts were provided that helped participants gather their thoughts while going before the throne, and there was an emphasis on asking God to use Oklahoma Christian as an instrument for his kingdom.”

Senior Matthew Kearney organized the prayer chain and said the idea developed from several influences.

“I don’t know if there was a singular moment that gave me the idea, but there were several contributing factors,” Kearney said. “I read ‘How to Pray, a Simple Guide for Normal People’ by Pete Grieg, which encouraged trying a chain prayer like this. I also remember my home church running a 24 hour prayer time when I was younger, and I wanted to try that again.”

Kearney said he was also inspired by one of Oklahoma Christian’s small chapels. 

“The event was structured similar to Quiet Place chapel. Simple, quiet prayer but with resources available. People signed up for time slots and showed up at Judd theater. We had a packet listing various types of prayer, prayer requests and some reference prayers,” Kearney said. “On one of the walls we had a table set up to write prayers on sticky notes. At the end of the day, we had 110 sticky notes posted.”

In addition to the quiet hours of prayer, hours were dedicated to other forms of worship and reflection.

“We also had numerous books on prayer. During some of the hours, particularly in the morning, there were some optional historical prayers that were read aloud outside of Judd theater for those interested,” Kearney said. “Generally, hours consisted of a couple people spread throughout the room, reading, praying and writing on sticky notes.”

Despite the late night shifts, Kearney said the experience was deeply rewarding.

“I surprisingly really enjoyed the 5am shift I did a lot. I felt like the apostles in Gethsemane, struggling to stay awake in prayer for just one hour. It was a good mental challenge and deepened my prayer,” Kearney said. “Another moment I appreciated was getting back from an hour break at around midnight and walking in to see more people than when I had left, all of whom were scattered through the room and deep in prayer.”

Kearney said it also left a lasting spiritual impact.

“I would also like to mention that the hours went by much faster than I expected. Not only that, but most hours felt rejuvenating, and it was a bizarre feeling to sit in silence for so long with God,” Kearney said. “After the event, my mind was stuck in prayer for a while. Any thought would be directed to God. That said, some of the final hours I was there I was starting to get worn out from a lack of sleep (three hours total) and an abundance of caffeine.”

Sophomore Ella Hinds, who participated in the prayer chain, said she appreciated both the spiritual focus and the sense of community.

“During my time of prayer I was able to talk to God about the things that worry me or confuse me, as well as thank him for all the blessings he has put in my life here at OC and at home,” Hinds said. “The hour of prayer flew by and I found myself with so much more to say and not enough time to say it. I walked away from the time of prayer with a feeling of peace and a fillet bucket.”

Kearney said Alpha hopes to continue this tradition in future semesters.

“Perhaps [Alpha will host] an overnight vigil going for 12 hours or even just a couple hours, with more focused prayer,” Kearney said. “This would also increase the number of people at each hour, which would be encouraging to those present. I definitely want to do it again because that time spent in silence was such a blessing.”

Bailey said the prayer chain is just one example of Alpha’s long-standing mission to serve the campus community through faith.

“Throughout its 50 year history, Alpha has gone through many phases and has had its share of ups and downs. Through it all though, the love of Christ has always been the central thread that has united its members across the decades,” Bailey said. “The college years are crucial for faith development and I am glad that these men have it in their hearts to help each other (and the campus as a whole) to grow in their spiritual walk with God.”