Students and campus groups are preparing for IFES World Student Day 2025 on Thursday (Oct. 16), which marks the 50th anniversary of the movement’s global prayer days.
Organized by the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), the annual global event invites students, ministry staff, supporters, and churches to unite in prayer for students and local IFES ministry in more than 180 countries and territories.
The theme for this year’s event—Immeasurably More—is referenced from the apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
“In a time of so much global division and uncertainty, this expression of international fellowship and united hope is a truly heartwarming event to be a part of. Please join with us,” said Tim Adams, IFES General Secretary.
Those taking part, from wherever they are located in the world, are given resource options to sign up to pray, using prayer cards and also a devotional guide, and take advantage of a resource hub. Student ministry testimonies are also welcome.
As this year is the 50th anniversary, the fellowship is inviting everyone to celebrate how God has exceeded what’s been asked or imagined and to seek him for “immeasurably more,” an IFES spokesman explained to Christian Daily International.
The challenge of evangelistic ministry to students is greater than ever. In 2025, a record 264 million students enrolled in higher education worldwide, according to a new data report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published in June. This is an upsurge of 25 million students since 2020, while the number of students seeking higher education has doubled since 2000, when 100 million were recorded.
It is thought a global widening of access to higher education has influenced this trend with the development of online degrees, hybrid courses and microcredentialing.
Globally there are more women than men in higher education. There are also regional disparities with only nine percent enrolled in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to the global average of 43% in enrollment rates.
On Facebook, student leader David Velkovski for SEAM, the IFES movement in North Macedonia, spoke of how students could feel being part of a large, prayerful student movement with IFES and the World Student Day.
“The World Student Day meeting gives us a sense that we are part of a bigger movement these days, just to pray. It’s not preaching or giving a talk or studying the Bible,” said Velkovski, comparing the magnitude of the event to regular IFES evangelistic activities for students. “We would just pour our hearts into simple prayer and worship.”
At least 22,000 participants from more than 100 countries have so far already signed up, representing a wave of prayer that will sweep across the globe, from Vanuatu to Vancouver.
To inform and inspire them, participants can use Prayer Cards – specific requests shared by students and staff from campuses worldwide. A four-day devotional guide is also available.
On the day, snapshots of student movements taking part in the event will be posted on IFES social media accounts.
More information, the sign-up map, and various resources are available at: ifesworld.org/wsd
