Prayer Spaces in Schools
Prayer spaces in schools are a great way of getting young people to think about prayer, and are a creative way of running an RO event – as part of an activity in the informal curriculum to which pupils opt in.
Alternatively, in some schools all pupils are given a timetabled opportunity to visit as an act of RO. A prayer space encourages young people to engage with prayer interactively, helping them to explore reflection and different ways to pray. This is achieved through providing different stations. Each station uses a different form of prayer, for example expressing a prayer through a drawing, praying for a local area using a map, creating a prayer chain with paper or weaving strips of cloth with prayers written on them. The room can be set out in different ways, with sub-sections each devoted to a particular theme or way of praying. Simple ideas are often best – a short description can be placed in each area to act as a guide.
The main purpose is to encourage young people to pray, with the prayer space providing a safe and comfortable place to explore quiet reflection.
How can I get this going?
Contact your local school and ask if they would be interested in have a prayer space. This could be on a weekly basis or as a one off event.
Does the school have a space? Schools can be tight for space. Even the smallest of spaces can be used in an interesting and engaging way.
Do you need to find volunteers to help? Prayer spaces are a great way for churches to be involved in their local schools. Make sure everyone is PVG checked, and knows what is expected of them.
Decorating your space. Passages of scripture, art work, fairy lights, cushions, soft music and gazebos all help to create a space which is different from a normal classroom.
What type of prayer activities? Be as creative as you like: drawing, making things to hang up, post-it note prayers, prayer stones, world prayer using a map and pins, having information to just sit and read can be helpful ways to help young people focus and pray.
Have a look at the Prayer Spaces in Schools website for more information and ideas and click here to see examples of how Prayer Spaces in Schools can connect with the Curriculum for Excellence.
