On Thursday 16 October, a wave of prayer swept across the world, from Vanuatu to Vancouver. Along the way, around 2,000 participants in Europe were among almost 30,000 people from 135 countries and territories who united to intercede for God’s work in the world’s universities and colleges.

Representing the 36 European national movements that are part of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), students, ministry staff, and supporters were joined by churches, Christian ministries, and individuals in this annual event.

“IFES World Student Day is a vital part of gospel ministry in our universities,” said David Montgomery (IFES Regional Secretary for Europe). “To be effective in evangelism and fruitful in discipleship, our students need prayer! And this day not only points us to God as the Lord who empowers gospel witness, but it also encourages our movements that they are part of a bigger picture of what God is doing.”

IFES connects and nurtures national movements – some large and over a century old, others small and still pioneering – so that students thrive as witnesses for Christ on campus and beyond. The Fellowship provides support and training in many aspects of ministry, from growing a new generation of evangelists to helping graduates live distinctively in the workplace.

For World Student Day, individuals and student groups shared specific prayer needs for their campuses, with almost 50 received from Europe.

Prayers were offered for a mission week in Salzburg (Austria), for united witness in Oulu (Finland), for doors to open in Warsaw (Poland), for students’ mental and emotional health in Pisa (Italy), for courage for seekers in Dublin (Ireland) to go deeper, and for daily prayer to be an integral part of ministry in Spain.

And the tiny, pioneering movement in Kosovo asked, “Please pray for new contacts with students who don’t know Christ during this new academic year. Our people have a great need of the truth of Jesus Christ.”

This year’s event was the 50th anniversary of IFES global prayer days. To mark this, its theme – “Immeasurably More” – was based on Ephesians 3:20-21. George Ogalo, IFES Chief Operating Officer, explained more:

“Fifty years ago, IFES had fewer than 40 national movements, but today there are more than 160 – God has done ‘more than we asked or imagined’. It’s been a delight to see so many taking part, seeking the Lord for ‘immeasurably more’.”

As students gathered to pray, many in difficult circumstances were encouraged. John Bedit Kanywar, General Secretary of FOCUS, South Sudan – where armed violence continues – said:

“Students have been sharing their testimonies of how God has been faithful in their campus fellowships and in their own spiritual growth. Students have joined the event from nine universities. It was so amazing for all!”

Students in remote, isolated contexts were also strengthened in their witness. Bill Colyer, Acting Director for GNYF Vanuatu, noted:

“One of our women said she was so encouraged to see that there are student groups all over the world and that she’s part of something so much bigger.”

David, a student leader in SEAM, the IFES movement in North Macedonia, has taken part in World Student Day for a number of years. He also mentioned how important the sense of global fellowship has been for them:

“When we look at the map with the names of other movements, and we read their names and use the Prayer Cards, we truly feel that we’re part of something bigger. It’s different from our other meetings when we focus on our group and our situation. You get a sense that you are part of a bigger movement.”

As well as promoting awareness of sister movements, the global event also serves as an opportunity for IFES movements to connect and support each other. This year, IVCF Canada in Quebec and IS/IVCF Belize (Caribbean) posted Instagram Reels with messages for each other, including prayer requests.

To get a flavour of the breadth, joy, and creativity of World Student Day, you can see posts on the IFES World Instagram account and in the WSD25 Stories Highlights, including Reels from student groups in ÖSM Austria, BCSU Bulgaria, CUI Ireland, SEAM Macedonia, EUS Serbia, ZVEŠ Slovenia, and Ichtus Belgium.

If you would like to support the advance of the gospel on campuses worldwide, you can pray for student witness by subscribing to the fortnightly IFES Prayerline. And visit the IFES Europe web page to read the Grapevine newsletter or make a gift to European ministry.

To inspire your prayers and connect you with this year’s World Student Day event, you can still download a free Devotional Guide and access the Prayer Cards. And if you’d like to be part of next year’s event, subscribe to WSD emails for all the latest.

by Bryn Rickards, Writer at IFES International Services in Oxford