A prayer marathon that went viral is coming to an end, according to a statement issued by the president of Asbury University in Kentucky.
On Sunday, Kevin J. Brown shared a statement to the university’s website about a schedule change impacting the marathon.
“At the completion of a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, 2023, at Asbury University, students lingered to pray, worship, and share. They have not stopped and, moreover, have been joined far and wide by hungry men and women across the world who desire to seek the Lord in this space,” Brown said.
He continued, “Since the first day, there have been countless expressions and demonstrations of radical humility, compassion, confession, consecration, and surrender unto the Lord. We are witnessing the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
According to Brown, the university continues to seek to “discern the right balance between orderliness for our university students, faculty, and staff and our campus visitors—and creating space for individuals to have a life-transforming, Christ-centered encounter.”
Additionally, Brown expressed appreciation for the “men and women who have worked so hard and diligently to create space for this special move of God.”
He continued, “Hosting such a significant moment comes with a cost—and the goodwill and humility of our community has been inspiring. Finally, we cannot fully express the profound gratitude we have for stewarding this outpouring in the life of our school and beyond. Ultimately, we pray that our efforts in these days point to our Savior.”
The website stated that the conclusion of the “public evening service of this recent outpouring” would take place Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
The concluding public worship service on the campus will be held on Monday at 2 p.m.
The university pointed to the issue of parking and seating capacity as part of the reason for ending the marathon.
Videos of the revival went viral on social media.
In case you missed it:
Flew from Dallas to worship in the #Asburyuniversity #Awakening. Been going on for 4 days straight. 24/7 worship and prayer, repentance, & renewing. We need awakening in #America and we need it right now! pic.twitter.com/B9evlynNnk
— Daniel McCormick (@newbreedrising) February 13, 2023
Abby Laub, director of communications for Asbury University, suggested the next generation is need of something more than what is currently offered in the world.
“If you look at the world, and you look at what is going on and what Gen Z is facing, I just think they are absolutely desperate for something other than what the world is giving them right now,” Laub said to Fox News.
Sarah Baldwin, vice president of student life at Asbury, told the outlet the revival was “an outpouring of the love of God, starting with Generation Z and overflowing on the rest of us to bring healing, joy and unity.”
She added, “At the center of it all, it’s been a return to a whole-hearted commitment to Jesus and turning away from anything that distracts us from Christ. We are deeply grateful for what God is doing,”
