Faith and Prayer in College
Faith and Prayer in College
Coming to college is often one of the biggest transitions in one's life - for good reason. Many people move away from home for the first time and are somewhat removed from their old friends, support networks, and habits. In the initial weeks of college, we form new habits, try new things, and make many changes to our lifestyle without knowing it. Unfortunately, church is left at home for many students who do not make a connection with a new faith community. Whether it is simply leaving behind an old habit, mom and dad not reminding you to go to church, lack of a young adult community akin to youth group, or even a change in faith, there are many reasons students do not go to church. College does not have to be a time of spiritual doubt or a pause from engagement with God. It can become a time of spiritual growth as much as it is growth physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally. It just requires a little bit of work. Coming to college is often one of the biggest transitions in one's life - for good reason. Many people move away from home for the first time and are somewhat removed from their old friends, support networks, and habits. In the initial weeks of college, we form new habits, try new things, and make many changes to our lifestyle without knowing it. Unfortunately, church is left at home for many students who do not make a connection with a new faith community. Whether it is simply leaving behind an old habit, mom and dad not reminding you to go to church, lack of a young adult community akin to youth group, or even a change in faith, there are many reasons students do not go to church. College does not have to be a time of spiritual doubt or a pause from engagement with God. It can become a time of spiritual growth as much as it is growth physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally. It just requires a little bit of work.
One of the most pressing concerns I've experienced in praying is just keeping track of it all. I want to be intentional about praying for my friends and family, those in need, and people that I promise to pray for - but often times I am just plain forgetful. Not only that, but I want to remember what I used to pray for and reflect on the things I have talked to God about in the past. Journaling has become an outlet for this. There are as many ways to journal as there are people in the world. However I want to share one thing that has worked for me.
The Jesuits are one of the ancient monastic orders that has developed techniques for prayer and journaling. Their hallmark is the Spiritual Exercises, written by their founder, St. Ignatius. Fr. James Martin, S.J (society of Jesus) writes the following about the Examen, a simple five-step prayer used by Jesuit monks:
"Once you begin to look around and allow yourself to take a chance to believe in God, you will easily see God at work in your life... In the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius includes a prayer designed to enable believers to find God in their lives. He called it the "examination of conscience." And he used to say that it was so important that even if Jesuits neglected all other forms of prayer in their day, they should never neglect this one."
Fr. James outlines the basics of the Examen as it is commonly known today. There are five parts of the Examen. First, is gratitude - expressing thanks to God for both the little and the big things in life. Step two is repentance - expressing remorse for those things which you could have done better. Step three is a review. This is the main part of the Examen, where you recount what you did during the day. This is also the part where some people will journal as a part of their prayer. The fourth step is to ask forgiveness. This is different from step two because in step two you acknowledge what you feel sorry about and in step four you acknowledge everything that you could have done better including what you cannot recall. The last step is to ask for God's grace to continue to improve and connect with him in the day to come. Most people close with a prayer such as the one Jesus taught his disciples, often called "the Lord's prayer" or the "Our Father". This Examen, especially combined with journaling, is a structured way to pause each day and connect with God. By building in that space to pray and reflect, you'll be surprised how much your personal prayer life grows.
When I was in high school, I was given two gifts my senior year. The first gift was that I was able to get out of the first two morning sessions of class, so that I did not start school until 10:00 every day. This was an exceptional gift for a high school senior. The second gift was counterintuitive to this - it was the opportunity to arrive at my home parish at 8:15 AM each morning and participate in the daily office.
For Episcopalians, the daily office is part of an ancient ritual. The daily office is the practice of praying many times a day with a community. Office, which came from the word 'offering' in Latin, was one of the ways the ancient Jews, early Christians, monastic communities, and now many churches today stayed in close community with God. However many Christians do not practice this ancient rite anymore - in fact, many Christians see it as reserved for monastic communities and religious "professionals." I am not a religious professional, and I can tell you that praying the office is life-changing. It is participation in one of the oldest traditions known to Christians. It is the daily fulfilment of our acknowledgement and thanks for the God who creates and sustains us in the life we live. Even if it feels arcane and ritualistic at first, as one learns the prayers and learns the ritual, it becomes comfortable and routine. Praying the office, just as praying the Examen, creates a space for God everyday in your life and is another way Christians can engage in spiritual growth and better know God.
Prayer is one thing - but how does one live out the signs of a Christian life in college without wearing a sign that says "I am a Christian?" There are many ways. In John's gospel, Jesus tells us that people will know we are his disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35). C.S. Lewis, one of the greatest Christian Spiritual authors, offers a series of virtues that point to the Christian life: Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, Faith, Hope and Charity. In Mere Christianity, the last virtue C.S. Lewis considers is Faith. Real Faith is not just about believing certain things - rather it is living those beliefs even when the going gets tough. Lewis argues the best way to learn about faith is to practice the virtues. Lewis suspects we will fail at maintaining the virtues which will teach us a great lesson: Christianity and Christian Faith is not about checking off boxes. Even if you say your prayers and do your best, you can't do this by yourself - you have to do this with God. Lewis quotes Philippians 2:12-13 to explain this great paradox: work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you.
There are many ways to express Christian faith and there are many ways to practice your faith in college. If you want to reconnect with God, challenge yourself to practice the daily office for a week. Try writing down your day with the Examen, or just jotting down one or two things you are grateful for each day. Read about and follow the Christian Virtues. However, realize you can fail. It is not a checklist or an exam. Forgive yourself, ask God for help, and begin again.
Additional Resources and Works Cited
- Examen Prayer Card, Courtesy of Loyola Press. A one page guide to pray the Examen that you can download and print out to keep on your desk or in your journal.
- The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, S.J. - This book is full of insights on everyday spirituality. In addition to talking about the Examen, Fr. Martin speaks about many aspects of keeping a spiritual life while living in, not apart from the world. Available on Amazon.
- Prayer book of the Bible by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - This book is a guide to using the Psalms in prayer. The Psalms are at the heart of the daily office and at the prayer lives of many Christians. Available on Amazon and in Fintel Library.
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - The full text of C.S. Lewis' wartime addresses on how to live a Christian life. Reviewed by another Benne Fellow here, available on Amazon and in Fintel Library.
- In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson - A Christian author describes the value and importance of reclaiming the Daily Office as part of the tradition of the church, and his own experiences with praying the office. Available on Amazon.
- The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard - Dr. Willard explains clearly how incorporating all of the Christian Disciplines, not just prayer, leads to a fulfilling Christian life. Available on Amazon.
- Being Christian by Rowan Williams - The former Archbishop of Canterbury describes what it means to be Christian in a succinct and approachable book. This is a wonderful place to begin to explore faith. Available on Amazon.
- Daily Prayer Anytime, courtesy of The Forward Movement - Check this out for an online version of the daily office. Simply select morning, noonday, evening, or compline (before bed) and get the prayers to get started. Try the settings to change which calendars of readings and what versions of the bible, psalm, and prayer to use. If you like thee's and thou's, use Rite I. Rite II for contemporary language. For a shorter devotion that changes based on your time zone, click here.