By Crystal Soriano

In a multifaith community like Far Eastern University (FEU), students cope with stress in many ways; one of the most universal is prayer. Whatever your religion is, prayer offers a moment of calm amid daily pressures. In today’s digital age, finding quiet reflection is hard, yet prayer remains a refuge that keeps practitioners grounded in a world that never stops.

(Trigger Warning: Mentions of self-harm/suicide)

A student's daily routine often revolves around cycles of deadlines, responsibilities, and uncertainties. The weight of academic, personal, and societal pressures can limit opportunities for rest. Even so, through this fast-paced routine, many continue to seek calm—not through silence or withdrawal, but through moments of spiritual grounding.

This quiet search for peace is not just personal—it reflects a shared resilience that extends across the FEU community. A nationwide survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) found that 16 percent of 1,500 Filipino adult respondents consider prayer their primary coping mechanism when dealing with stress.

Although the number may seem small, it still represents a segment of students who turn to faith during challenging times, serving as a reflection of the Philippines’ cultural tradition of turning to spirituality as a source of daily guidance and support.

In a community like FEU, both hyperconnected and religiously diverse, prayer functions as a grounding practice shaped by long-standing spiritual traditions. 

This practice is not limited to a single religion; in a multifaith environment, it appears in many forms—Catholic rosaries, Islamic supplications, Buddhist meditations, indigenous rituals, and more. 

These practices serve as pathways for individuals to connect with something beyond themselves and with a wider community of believers. This diversity of faith also enriches how students interact by fostering understanding, empathy, and deeper respect across FEU’s multifaith campus.

Even in a world ruled by technology, many people rely on prayer to navigate moments of emotional strain. Faith may change in form, but its spirit endures—showing how practices like prayer continue to serve as a stabilizing force. For students, this persistence is especially visible in how prayer becomes a tool for managing stress, maintaining mental well-being, and finding moments of clarity within the demands of academic life.

Seeking solace in the digital age

Prayer is not found only in traditional spaces like churches, mosques, or family prayer at home, it also emerges in virtual spaces where Filipinos gather for community such as social media, streaming platforms, or prayer apps.

While prayer continues to be a source of comfort for many practitioners, some students naturally turn to modern distractions. The survey from SWS found that people often turn to these modern distractions: about four percent unwind by watching TV, movies, or playing e-sports and online games, while two percent spend their time browsing on social media.  

These habits suggest that coping strategies are evolving: spiritual practices now coexist with digital forms of relaxation, highlighting how the search for calm adapts to the rhythms of a connected, fast-paced world.

However, this shift also brings tension: like students filming prayer moments for social media—turning what was once private into a display or performance. While digital platforms offer new ways to practice faith, they also challenge individuals to maintain the personal, contemplative aspect that gives prayer its enduring value.

Technology has made prayer more accessible through online novenas, app-based rosaries, and faith reflections on TikTok or YouTube that allow communities to connect despite busy schedules or distance. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, first-year Communication student Robbie Louise Rubinos, a Born-again Christian, shared how technology has made practicing faith easier for students today.

“Generally, it is really convenient especially during devotions. Since the semester I’m currently in is loaded with activities and general academics, it's been hard to do devotions recently because of it,” he said.

While he still values personal study and reflection, the convenience of having scripture readily available on his phone helps him maintain a daily connection with his faith even through his busy schedule.

“If ever I don’t have time to read the bible and find a scripture that connects with me and the current day, then I can just go to the ‘verse of the day’ of my ‘Holy Bible’ app to see if it connects with my current thoughts, so if ever I’m very busy with academics or generally with my personal life, daily reminded scriptures via apps help me to have a more convenient time with Him,” the Communication student shared.

His experience illustrates that faith no longer exists apart from technology—it grows with it. For Rubinos’ generation, faith lives both in churches and in glowing screens. Digital spaces subtly reshape intimacy with prayer; they allow private, personal moments of devotion while also connecting people to peers, making prayer more immediate, convenient, and possible even in the in-between moments of daily life.

This digital shift, however, extends beyond a single faith. Spirituality is not exclusive to Christianity; students from diverse religious backgrounds—including Islam, Catholics, and indigenous traditions turn to technology to maintain their spiritual routines and reflections. Even as the sacred is streamed and scrolled through, its true essence stays the same.

Amid constant notifications, prayer still calls softly. Technology may soothe for a moment, but faith steadies the heart and mind for the long term, offering quiet presence rather than the rush of pixels. In a world that never logs off, some students still find in prayer a reason to pause and breathe.

Drawing strength from faith

For some students, prayer is more than a habit—it is a quiet space where they can rest, think, and breathe.

Kirsten Dolar, a first-year International Studies student, shared that stress has always been a constant in her life. Between the demands of academics and the pressure to perform, she relies on prayer as a refuge to find calm and focus.

“When I pray, I feel a bit lighter, like some of the weight I’m carrying has been shared. On days I don’t pray, I notice I get overwhelmed more easily. Prayer doesn’t magically change my situation overnight, but it helps me find the necessary strength and calmness to face it,” she shared.

As a Roman Catholic, Dolar’s experience illustrates how prayer can act as a form of emotional resilience, allowing students to navigate challenges with composure. Her routine of praying before studying, or taking a few peaceful minutes to thank God for getting through the whole day, highlight how she integrates faith every day. She added that these small, consistent moments of faith keep her grounded throughout her college life.

“God won’t magically finish my requirements or [organization works] for me. I still have to do the work myself. But sometimes, I just need that extra push to keep going,” she said.

For the Tamaraw, prayer is all about finding moments of stillness amid everyday stress. Her story reminds us that prayer cultivates patience rather than providing instant, ‘snap-your-fingers’ answers. 

For some, like Dolar, prayer brings peace. For others, praying provides support when life feels overwhelming. Danica Dolor, a first-year Nursing student and a part of a Christian community, shares her story about how faith survives even in the darkest moments. She recalls a time when she came close to losing herself completely. 

“I've had many attempts before, but that was one of the times [when] I attempted to hurt myself. [At that moment], I absolutely begged Him, even though I [only] knew Him by name and didn't have a relationship with Him. [Still], it’s just great that despite [not having] that relationship with Him, I was [somehow] able to seek Him,” Dolor expressed.

Her story offers a glimpse of the challenges she has faced and the strength she has gained. For the Nursing student, what kept her going was having that crucial connection with God, a space where she could be completely honest without fear or masks. 

“What really keeps me going is my connection with God and the support of my friends and family [who listen] and encourage me. I feel like even simple prayers can give me strength, help me heal, and give me the courage to start over,” the Nursing student asserted.

Dolar and Dolor’s experiences show that prayer can bring peace and strength in moments of stress or despair. But the power of prayer is not limited to one faith. 

Different rhythm of prayer

Across FEU’s multifaith community, students of different religions find their own ways to connect, reflect, and cope with life’s pressures. Prayer, in its many forms, becomes a shared human experience—a way to pause, find calm, and gain resilience, regardless of the specific tradition.

Fourth-year Architecture student Lilianna Andan Banting shared how her Islamic faith shapes her daily life and helps her manage the pressures of university life. Unlike the structured academic routines or casual social breaks, her prayers provide a consistent pause in the day, allowing her to focus and reflect.

Islamic prayer is structured with specific movements and recitations. This disciplined rhythm provides built-in pauses for reflection, helping her to reconnect with their faith and manage stress consistently throughout the day.

“As a Muslim, we are expected, if not highly encouraged, to perform our five daily prayers. Like any other student, I usually pray for upcoming exams, family, and stability in my day-to-day life, along with asking for forgiveness,” she explained.

Banting shared that these prayers are not mere obligations—they are opportunities to reflect on her intentions, reconnect with her values, and find balance. 

“It helps me escape. Despite being in a diverse environment, prayer enables me to reconnect with my faith and find balance in the midst of academic and personal pressures,” she said.

Even small phrases, when repeated quietly, have a grounding effect. For Banting, these words become a rhythm, a meditative anchor through the stress of academics and deadlines. 

“Uttering the praises of Allah—such as a simple word like Bismillah or Alhamdulillah—is enough to get me through the day,” she added.

Additionally, listening to or reading the Quran provides her a personal space for reflection, emotional release, and acknowledgment of fears, hopes, and frustrations.

“It makes me cry as if that is what my heart needed. It reassures me like a warm hug and always leaves me at ease, especially at night. I genuinely believe it holds meaning, especially for my age group, who are working towards reaching their aspirations. Sometimes, when the mind can no longer comprehend, we must seek guidance from the All-Knowing, which is Him,” the Architecture student shared.

Banting’s story illustrates that prayer—whether spoken, whispered, or meditated upon—offers more than comfort. Across FEU’s multifaith community, these diverse practices allow them to navigate everyday academic pressures or facing moments of despair. Beyond personal struggles, prayer quietly shapes daily routines, providing steadiness, guiding practices, and a sense of balance amid the pressures of modern life.

Finding balance through modernity

The presence of prayer in the Philippines shows that faith evolves alongside modernity, continuing to guide Filipinos. According to a study from the NY Mental Health Center in 2024, one significant benefit of prayer is its innate ability to promote emotional well-being by helping individuals effectively cope with stress. 

The core act of praying fosters a powerful sense of connection to a higher power or purpose, helping people find comfort and clarity during uncertainty.

Many students turn to prayer not only in gratitude but also in their darkest hours. Though the instinct to seek comfort remains unchanged, the practice of faith has evolved.

Digital technology has reshaped prayer without diminishing its significance. Virtual rosaries, livestreamed masses, and online prayer communities let Filipinos connect with devotion from home, using apps and social media to reflect and share spirituality. 

Their stories suggest that for today’s youth, spirituality remains a vital tool for managing stress, fostering emotional balance, and creating a sense of control in a fast-paced, connected world.

Prayer has not disappeared; it has adjusted to the pace of every Filipino life. By connecting with a higher power and taking moments to pause and reflect, students can better manage stress and maintain emotional balance. Whether through a rosary, a mat, or a chant—prayer encourages focus, fosters mindfulness, and supports recovery, which show how spiritual practice can play a meaningful role in mental health and student well-being.

(Illustration by Alexandra Lim/FEU Advocate)