How to Pray for the Lost on Your College Campus

You’re on campus, and there are unsaved people all around. You want to reach them for Jesus, but how? Is there a method, a plan, or a strategy for bringing revival to your campus? How can you partner with Him?

This may surprise you, but it is possible—through prayer.

“Our highest calling is to have fellowship with God,” says Mike Bickle, director of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City, and author of books such as Prayers to Strengthen Your Inner Man and Growing in Prayer.

In prayer, we can gain revelation of the Father’s plan to advance His kingdom (Matt. 6:10), which includes saving the lost (Isa. 60:3). This fellowship moves God’s heart and also opens us to receiving His wisdom.

Here are some ways to pray for the lost on your campus:

1. Recognize the Need for Prayer
Prayer is absolutely necessary in evangelism. Effectual prayer shifts atmospheres, pushes back darkness, and wins the battle in the heavenlies.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand . . . praying always with all prayer and supplication . . .” (Eph. 6:12–18).

Prayer enhances our witness because it bids the Spirit to go before us. He unveils the hearts and minds of unbelievers so that they are prepared when we witness to them. There may still be resistance, but many more will receive the Gospel and souls will be saved as we pray faithfully. Evangelism with prayer is FAR more effective than evangelism without it, just like anything else we do in the kingdom. “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

2. Keep a prayer list
A list helps us keep steady in praying for the specific individuals that God has placed on our hearts. While the Spirit can move at any time, a list will help focus our prayers and make it easier to get started—and stay consistent—while we wait for the request to be answered. Keeping an actual list, written or in your phone, will increase celebration when the answers come.

Imagine looking over it at the end of the semester or year and seeing great change in those individuals because you didn’t quit! God honors persistence, as we see from the widow in Luke 18:1–8.

“We must be intentional about developing a consistent prayer life,” Mike says in Prayers to Strengthen Your Inner Man, and a prayer list is one of the best ways to do that.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit for Revelation
The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding . . . of counsel and might . . . of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (Isa. 11:2). Jesus called Him “the Helper,” and said that He would guide us “into all truth” (John 14:26; 16:13).

The Holy Spirit knows exactly how to reach the people on your list. He is the wisdom of God, and will give you strength to walk in His ways. As you pray, listen for any direction that He gives, both on how to pray and what action to take. He is a faithful guide! We can do far more to reach the lost by partnering with the Holy Spirit than by leaning on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6).

4. Pray the Apostolic Prayers
There are many prayers in Scripture, including the New Testament Apostolic Prayers, prayed by Paul and others. Although they were directed at the Church, much of the same language can be used to intercede for others on your college campus.

For instance, in Ephesians 1:17–19, Paul prayed that God would give the church a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus and flood their hearts with light. We can take that same prayer and ask God to release light on the heart of an unbeliever and release the knowledge of Jesus as He is to them. You can download a list of New Testament prayers here.

5. Start a Prayer Meeting
While a personal prayer life is irreplaceable and hugely important, the Lord also desires corporate intercession from His bride—especially concerning revival. It is important to pray individually and also to pray with other believers for a move of God on your campus.

Prayer meetings can be dynamic, enjoyable, and fruitful. Click here to download a guide with tips on starting prayer meetings at your school.

6. Get Training in Worship and Intercession
As a final tip, consider a training program such as Luke 18 Project’s Spring Break Fuel Schools, where you’ll get hands-on training from experienced college ministers, seek Jesus in a 24/7 prayer and worship room, and meet fiery students from across the nation with a heart like yours for revival. Learn more about this transforming spring break experience »

Question: What steps will you take to pray for your college campus?

Adam Wittenberg

position

A Detroit native who was raised in Vermont and Connecticut, Adam worked as a newspaper journalist until 2012, when he moved to Kansas City to complete the Intro to IHOPKC internship. Afterwards, he earned a four-year certificate in House of Prayer Leadership from IHOPU and is now on full-time staff in the Marketing department at IHOPKC. He also serves in the NightWatch (overnight prayer hours) and is active in evangelism. He, and his wife Stephany, have a vision to reach people everywhere with the good news of Jesus Christ.