News and Blog

Sattler Values: Prayer

Prayer-1
Student Life

Sattler Values: Prayer

 
***

Three Ways Sattler College Encourages Prayer  

One of the reasons I chose to come to Sattler was because of the focus on discipleship. I began applying to Sattler as I was finishing my first year at a community college. I was very frustrated with the education I was receiving for many reasons. I was facing an environment that was hostile to faith, and classes were being taught from a strict atheistic perspective. Coming from that college, I believe I was better able to appreciate the Christian culture that Sattler College offers. Sattler seeks to saturate lives with worship and fervent prayer to God. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Sattler recognizes the importance of prayer and actively makes prayer a meaningful practice through daily “tea times,” classes, and “journey groups.”

 

1. Prayer at Tea Times 

“Tea Time” is a part of Sattler’s discipleship which brings the entire community together for singing, teaching, and prayer. We often hear a short “pearl of wisdom” from staff or students. However, we also spend the entirety of some Tea Times seeking God in prayer. This often happens on Wednesdays, which we, as a community, have dedicated to worship. Worship days are a favorite of mine. They take the focus off of my life and responsibilities and allow me to place my thoughts on God. 

The verse from James 5:13 is a good summary of our Tea Times: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” While Wednesdays are most often used to sing praise, we have also used them to labor in prayer for others. During the last school year, we used some Tea Times to pray for fellow Christians in grievous circumstances—those in Afghanistan and Ukraine, for example. We spent our time praying that God would intervene in the persecutors’ lives and asking for God to give us empathy for those who are suffering. 

 

2. Prayer in Class 

Prayer in the classroom is a way to invite God into our education, but it is also an affirmation that God is in control at Sattler. Asking for God’s presence at the beginning of every class communicates that we are allowing God to direct our education. This changes the perspective from trying to fill our minds with knowledge to pursuing an education which will prepare students for Kingdom service. Prayer is a key way to keep our perspective on that goal. 

 

3. Prayer in Journey Group 

Another amazing opportunity for prayer is through Journey Group. Part of Sattler’s discipleship program is creating Journey Groups, which are groups of three to five people who meet weekly to discuss their spiritual and emotional health. Prayer is one of the components of that meeting. We confess our failings, share our accomplishments, and have the opportunity to pray for one another. 

Our Journey Groups also set goals for our prayer life. We then report to the group on our faithfulness in our goals. The goal is not for legalistic prayer but an opportunity for the group to encourage each other through accountability. This accountability has helped me to grow in my prayer life. 

Another goal for some students is to stop throughout the school day to take time seeking God in prayer. The natural tendency can be to compartmentalize life. I seek God in the morning, but then I find myself functioning all day on my own strength. Pausing to pray throughout the day completely changes that viewpoint, and it places the importance back on seeking God throughout the whole day. Journey Group provides that opportunity to set personal goals and provides the accountability to work towards implementing those goals in our lives.

Leave your thought here

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *