During each of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon line dances, the floor of Rec Hall erupted in shouting, chanting and singing.

But in the back section of the east bleachers, a few students had their heads quietly bent in prayer.

"We pray that [God] will give [the children] strength...bring them light," Norm Hesser (sophomore-premedicine) said during his prayer.

Sam Leu, a member of Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), organized the prayer, which took place once an hour for the entire 48 hours.

Leu said he believed the prayer would bring encouragement to everyone, including the dancers, children and the families of those affected by cancer.

"I believe that God is working through all of this, through fund-raising, giving dancers strength, being able to come together and pray for them," Leu said.

While those who prayed in the bleachers did not cheer on the dancers by playing catch and rubbing feet, they hoped encouragement would spread through prayer as well.

"This is our own system of morale up here," Brian Gerwig (sophomore-chemical engineering) said.

Cru was not the only organization involved in the event.

Students from Wesley Student Fellowship, Veritas Christian Fellowship and Alliance Christian Fellowship also participated in the prayer.

Leu said it was not meant to be an exclusive prayer and was open to all Christians who wished to pray at the event.

Meredith Forney (sophomore-theatre) said those who were praying made the atmosphere during the prayer cheerful.

Some of those who were praying in the stands planned on verbally encouraging the dancers after they finished silently cheering for them.

"If there's anything I possibly can do, it's this first," Brandon Rounds (senior-kinesiology) said. "And then go out and encourage them."

The main reason for participating in the event over the course of the weekend was the idea of coming together to support the dancers and the families, and at the same time showing unification.

"It's about coming here and coming together," Alicia Heist (sophomore-art education) said.

Maria Migone (sophomore-finance), a student who was watching Thon from the stands, said she thought the prayer was a good idea because it allowed students to practice "free will."

Other students did not agree on having the prayer.

Dancer Stephanie Bragg (junior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said some people might not believe Thon should include religion and prayer.

"To include a prayer could offend people on both sides," she said.