Students from different Christian organizations on campus are uniting to pray continuously for one week for various topics at the Gathering, a Christian non-denominational prayer chain.

The prayer chain began at 6 p.m. on Friday. The HUB, 912 W. Springfield Ave., will be open 24/7 until 6 p.m. March 10 for students looking for a place to pray. All Christian organizations are welcome, and there will be group worship and prayer time every day at 5 p.m.

Group prayer topics include: unity among campus ministries, America, humanitarian needs, the war in Iraq, racial reconciliation and open communication and better relations among different cultures and religions, said Terry Austria, director of Excel Campus Ministry.

“The purpose of the Gathering is to bring restoration and revival of this city through the unity of Christ,” said Jong Lee, president of International House of Prayer, and visiting research assistant professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. “It is a student movement. If students are willing to pray, they come.”

Students from Campus Crusade for Christ, Covenant Fellowship Church, Korean Church of Champaign-Urbana, St. John’s Catholic Chapel, Students for Christ, Twin City Bible Church and about 14 other ministries are participating, Lee said. Willing students can sign up for different shifts at the Gathering Web site.

The hope is that students will know and experience the unity within Christ, and those who don’t know Jesus will come to know the love of God through this unity, he said.

Michelle Ruff, senior in LAS and member of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, said after reading “Red Moon Rising: How 24-7 Prayer is Awakening a Generation” by Peter Greig and Dave Roberts, she knew a similar revival had to happen on campus.

The idea of a 24/7 prayer chain had been discussed before, but the main problem had been finding a secure place that could stay open 24/7. The Gathering guidelines specify that females not come alone during the night shifts.

Lee said the fact that Excel Campus Ministry wanted and prepared to open the basement of their building, the HUB, for the prayer chain was a confirmation that this Gathering is God’s will.

Austria expressed his hope that the Gathering will serve as a launching pad for 24/7 prayer in the fall.

With All Campus Worship coming up March 10, Ruff said unity in prayer leading up to unity in worship seemed to be the perfect opportunity to break the walls among different ministries.

“We are very excited to see what wonderful things God will do,” said Kelly Schwenk, president of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship.”Not just within the campus groups, but especially beyond them.”