By Angelina Burkholder | Echo
Marylou Habecker has been the first lady of Taylor for almost eight years. Through those years she has been known as a woman of sincere love, a motherly figure and, most of all, a friend. She's been a leader in many avenues on campus and has a heart that burns to see goodness dwell at Taylor.
"This place is a very special place because we believe that God lives here among us and it is bathed in prayer," Marylou said. "It's not a perfect place, but we believe that God's hand of protection is here."
Just recently, Marylou headed up another charge. After a couple women expressed interest and need for a campus prayer group at the beginning of the year, Marylou started planning. Drawing from one of her favorite passages, she was inspired by the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. As Jehoshaphat's enemies were marching against him, he gathered his men and sang praises to the Lord. Amidst their worship of God, their enemies turned on themselves and destroyed each other.
"It was through praise and prayer that there was peace," Marylou said. "For years, I have said that this is a little formula."
Now, every Tuesday at noon, she opens the Great Room to all females on campus. Everyone is invited, from administration and faculty to students and staff. Young and old gather together to live out peace through genuine praise and prayer.
"It's our living room where people can gather and feel safe," Marylou said. "We all need each other, we are all the same at the foot of the cross."
Each Tuesday, the women tackle a different Psalm to learn about the provision of God. They study it before Tuesday and then share how God spoke to them through it and how the passage affected their week.
"The Psalms seemed like a great place to be in and bathe in," Marylou said. "I've always loved Psalms, particularly for hope, peace and praise."
The hour finishes with about 25 minutes of prayer. During this time, Marylou encourages the women to actually pray instead of just talking about what they need prayer for. But the women don't just focus on bringing their needs before God. They have an equal amount of time spent in praising and blessing him.
"God delights in our praise, presence and our prayer," Marylou said.
According to Marylou, prayer plus praise equals peace. In that equation, there is no room for complaining. She encourages the women to bring praises before God rather than laments.
"If you're complaining, it's not going to give peace," Marylou said.
This gathering also offers a unique opportunity for young women and older women to invest in each other through mentoring relationships. Older women have the chance to pour wisdom into students, while students are able to refresh the tired lives of older women.
"I think just by sharing that fresh, exuberant and exciting walk with God that comes with youth is very exhilarating," Marylou said.
Tuesday Bible study has a little bit of everything. Drinks, along with occasional treats, are provided, and women on lunch break are encouraged to bring their meals along. With a giant living room, Marylou has plenty of space for more people.
"We're all incredibly welcoming and it would be great to have more people," Marylou said. "We're all just there to praise and to pray."
For further questions about the Tuesday Bible study, contact Marylou Habecker at mrhabecker@taylor.edu.
