This summer we ran our first prayer space in two schools. The prayer space theme was Easter and it was hosted in our local church. The pupils attended in their classes and each class came in for one hour over two days to experience the prayer space.

The prayer activities where set out around the church and there were prayer activities based on Palm Sunday, the resurrection, the crucifixion and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Each activity had a card with a part of the Easter Story written on it for each volunteer to read. It also included questions about the story, how Jesus felt and how the children may have felt in respond to the story. There was an interactive prayer opportunity for them to engage with too.

Feedback from the young people included:
“I had time to talk to God just me and him“
“I can talk to God by planting something and I can go home and pray in my garden”  
“I enjoyed everything because we where thinking about Jesus and how much he loves us!”
“I have learnt a lot about myself and different ways I can pray“
“I have loved this and want to do it all over again“
“I have been able to think about people who are special to me and learn more about the Easter Story”
“I have learnt a lot about myself“
“Hopes and dreams to become a vicar“
“I can pray anywhere and especially in my garden“

The staff really loved this opportunity for the children and asked for the prayer space to return. One of the staff members said “It brought the church to life through the opportunity of prayer“. Both schools have asked for support in helping the children create their own prayer spaces each term based on their Christian values.

I absolutely loved working with both schools and they both worked really well together. One of the challenges for the larger school was fitting everyone into a timescale but the children really enjoyed it and wanted to ask more questions.

We had a brilliant time and we look forward to doing it again soon.