This semester the University Center is home to the genesis of something new.

A student prayer room is now open every Monday afternoon from noon to 2 p.m. The prayer room meetings are held in University Center North, and alternate between rooms 124 and 127.

The idea was conceived by Joseph Wert, dean of the School of Social Sciences, and his wife Younse Wert. Joseph Wert said he wanted the prayer room to be a place for students to find relief from the demands of college.

“The purpose of the prayer room was to give students a place where they could either gather together or come individually and take a spiritual break,” he said. “If they had an exam or something similar coming up, they could come and pray for themselves or for others.”

He said he previously led a Bible study on campus, but wanted to shake things up this year.

“We decided to try something different to see if we could reach more students,” he said.

Younse Wert said the prayer room is something she has wanted to do for a while.

“I’ve prayed for students for a long time,” she said. “We both met God in college, so it’s been our goal to help other students.”

She said she is glad the prayer room meetings are held on Mondays in particular.

“Our Bible study was in the middle of the week, but I thought Monday was better for this,” she said. “It gets students’ week off to a good start.”

She said she encourages students to visit, even if they can only stay for a brief time.

“The prayer room is held for two hours, but students do not have to stay the whole time,” she said. “If students want to talk or pray about anything, they’re welcome to, even if it’s only for a few minutes between classes.”