It is the time of year when many young men and women in the church prepare themselves for tertiary studies. While those studying locally have just begun or are about to begin their studies, others would be leaving us to do so in colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom over the next 2 months.
Many of those going overseas might relish and look forward to their foreign adventure. Others might be somewhat apprehensive about being away from home for the first time for an extended period. For both groups, they should be aware that their overseas stint would be a great test of their Christian faith and fidelity to God in these great citadels of learning and unbelief. Both mum and dad would not be around. Most of their classmates and friends in colleges and universities would be non-Christians. Bible-believing churches would be hard to find and far away. In addition, the wintry weather and pressure of studies would conspire to discourage regular church attendance. I know this all too well from personal experience. Far away from home and without pressure from parents, it takes a great deal of discipline, passion and love for God to attend a good Bible-believing church without fail every Lord's Day.
What then can our young men and women do? They must acquire a firm foundation in the Word of God for "the entrance of thy words giveth light" (Ps 119:130 ) and the habit of daily communion in prayer if they want to remain "steadfast, unmovable . . and (abound) in the work of the Lord."(1 Cor 15:58 ) In their own strength, they would not get very far before they fail for the pressures from studies and peers and weakness of the flesh would soon overwhelm whatever resolution they might have made earlier to follow the Lord. The examples of many of our young men and women who have left the church stands as a sobering reminder of how strong and pervasive the influence of the world and its belief systems can be.
Being separated by a great distance, parents can pray for their sons and daughters to persevere in their faith and Christian walk and for God to keep and protect them. "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."(Ps 18:30 ) They can also include the names of their children who are studying overseas in the church prayer list so that the whole church can pray for them as well. To encourage both our young men and women and their parents to rely on the power of prayer, let me share a true story that took place some 140 years ago.
One Sabbath morning, eight young men, students in a law school, were walking along a stream not far from the city of Washington. They were going to a shady grove to spend the hours of that Lord's Day in playing cards. Each of them took along a flask of wine as well. All eight of them were the sons of praying mothers. As they were walking along, the bells of a little church in a nearby village began to peal. But the eight men continued on their way.
A little while later, one of them, whose name was George, stopped and said to the friend nearest him that he would go no farther but would return to the village and attend church. His friend called out to the others, "Boys! Boys! Come here! George is getting religious - we must help him. Come on, and let us baptise him by immersion in the water." In a moment, they formed a circle around him. They told him that the only way he could save himself from having a cold bath was by going with them.
In a calm but earnest way, George said, "I know very well that you have power to put me there in the water and hold me there until I drown. If you choose, you can do so and I will offer no resistance. But listen to what I have to say, and then do as you think best."
"You all know that I am two hundred miles from home, but you do not know that my mother is a helpless, bedridden invalid. I never remember seeing her out of her bed. I am her youngest child. My father could not afford to pay for my schooling, but my teacher is a good friend of my father and offered to take me without charge. He was very anxious for me to come here, but Mother would not consent. The struggle almost cost her what little life she had left. At length, after many prayers, she yielded and said I might go."
"The preparations for my leaving home were soon made. My mother never said a word to me on the subject until the morning of my leaving. After I had finished breakfast, she sent for me and asked if everything was ready. I told her all was ready and I was only waiting for the stagecoach. At her request I kneeled beside her bed. With her loving hand upon my head, she prayed for her youngest child. Many a night I have dreamed the whole scene over. It is the happiest recollection of my life. I believe, until the day of my death, I shall be able to repeat every word of that prayer."
"Then she spoke to me, `My precious boy, you do not know - you never can know - the agony of a mother's heart, in parting for the last time from her youngest child. When you leave home, you will have looked for the last time this side of the grave on the face of her who loves you as no other mortal does or can. Your father cannot afford the expenses of your making us visits during the two years your studies will occupy. I cannot possibly live as long as that. The sand in the hourglass of my life has nearly run out. In the far off strange place that you are going, there will be no loving mother to give counsel in time of trouble. Seek counsel and help from God. Every Sabbath morning, from ten to eleven o'clock, I will spend the hour in prayer for you. Wherever you may be during this sacred hour, when you hear the church bells ringing, let your thoughts come back to this chamber where your dying mother will be agonising in prayer for you. But I hear the stagecoach coming. Kiss me - farewell!'"
"Boys, I never expect to see my mother again on earth. But by God's help, I mean to meet her in heaven."
As George stopped speaking, the tears were streaming down his cheeks. He looked at his companions. Their eyes were all filled with tears.
In a moment, the ring that they had formed around him was opened. He passed out and went to church. He had stood up for his faith against great odds.
The others admired him for doing what they had not the courage to do. They all followed him to church. On the way there, each of them quietly threw away his cards and his wine flask. Never again did these young men play cards on the Sabbath. From that day on, they all became changed men and staunch Christians until their days on earth were over. Here were eight men converted as a result of the prayers of a good Christian woman and mother.
Mothers and fathers, may this example encourage you to continually pray for your children going overseas, that God will keep them from all harm and danger, from great temptations and the pressures and worldly advice from non-Christian friends and lecturers in colleges and universities where evolution, human rights, saving gaia and atheism dominate intellectual life. Pray most of all that your children will stand fast and not depart from "the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein . . (that they may) find rest for (their) souls." (Jer 6:16 ).
Young men and women, as you begin your tertiary studies, do not forget the prayers of your God-fearing parents for, like George, these would fortify you in your hour of trial, temptation and discouragement. Pray continually for your soul, find a good and sound Bible-believing church to attend regularly, join a Bible-based fellowship group in the church or university and learn to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Prov 3: 5-6 )