As a Christrian university, Azusa Pacific incorporates faith in the lives of students through chapel, classes, and on-campus opportunities. But one aspect of faith—prayer—is unique to each student and their personal walk with God. For APU students, there are many beautiful places around campus where they can commune with God; some are designed for those conversations, while others provide the opportunity when students look for it.
Wynn Amphitheater
A beautiful open amphitheater by the Wynn Building on East Campus, this prayer spot is often used for bible study or reflection. Students frequently lead worship on the stage, host D-groups, or focus on individual connection with God. “I connect the best with God when I am in Nature and able to see the beauty of His creation. Wynn Amphitheater has so many amazing elements, like the turtle pond, the garden walk, trees, and a lawn to just sit with God,” said Julianna Mountain ’27. In the midst of a bustling campus, Wynn provides a space to touch grass and see God’s beauty at work.
With the structured grass steps and trees surrounding the area, Wynn is the perfect combination of seclusion and accessibility that makes it great for several diverse uses. “I do bible study and have my deepest talks with God in the amphitheater,” said Kailee Kobayashi ‘27. “I have had philosophical conversations with people I never expected to meet. People come there to spend time with God, and it can be perfect for personal prayer or those deep conversations in community.”
Hartwig Prayer Chapel
Hartwig Prayer Chapel on East Campus is a great choice for prayer. This sanctuary was built specifically to give students a place to pray and spend time with the Lord. With lower lighting and silence, the chapel is a perfect place for seclusion and personal time with God. At the back of the chapel sits a cross and a Bible, with an altar to kneel in prayer. “The Prayer Chapel was created for the spiritual discipline of silence,” said Solomon Kato ‘26. “It is one of the rare places on campus where you don’t need to do anything but be present. I feel my prayers to God to be the most honest and most powerful; it’s a small, private, and intimate area.”
Cougar Stadium
With a track to walk, a cross at the back of the stadium, and bleachers that overlook the campus and surrounding areas, Cougar Stadium is a place where a variety of worship can take place. It provides the solitude and space for reflection necessary for connection with God. “My entire year was so busy, I was constantly surrounding myself with people, events, work, and assignments,” said Ingrid Hellesto ’26. “I decided to challenge myself to disconnect from the constant noise and be okay with silence, trying to listen to whatever the Lord had for me in that moment. The roof of the sound booth was a perfect viewing point for the sunset, birds in the sky, and life below.”
In the midst of a busy campus and daily life, the stadium offers a place of active reflection. Whether it's walking the track, listening to worship music, or sitting at the top of the bleachers overlooking God’s creation, this place on campus is ideal for whatever kind of worship you need.
Prayer Garden
Another popular place students can be in God’s presence is the Barbara and Jack Lee Place of Prayer, located east of the Felix Event Center on West Campus. Inspired by Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, people who stop here often write prayer requests on a piece of paper and leave it in the cracks of the wall for others to pray for them. APU’s version of the Wailing Wall features the four cornerstones forming a cross, reminding students that they are in the presence of God in this sacred space.
With trees and birdbaths, this open space invites community into prayer and a reflection of God’s beauty. Whether students are walking between classes or taking time after chapel, this place of prayer welcomes the daily practice of taking time for God. With the encouragement of praying for fellow students and providing support, this prayer place invites community in, with the reminder that our walk with God is not a lonely one.
Rose Garden
Located in the midst of English faculty offices on East campus, this garden is full of blooming flowers, a fountain, and space to connect with nature. The benches that line the walkway allow for students to sit with their thoughts, and the offices close off the space from the rest of the campus, allowing students the opportunity for solitude.
“The rose garden is a perfect quiet place to be with God,” said Brandon Cooper ’26. “I love being surrounded by the nature and creativity of our Lord.” With the beautiful roses in the spring and birds frequenting the fountain at the center, the rose garden is a perfect place to sit in worship with the beauty of God.
