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A Space in which to Pray for Schools Fiona

4th January 2024

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For National Pray Day for Schools I decided to create a prayer space and encourage people who care about schools to pray for all those who learn in, work in, volunteer in and influence our local Sheffield schools.

A church gave me a room and I publicised the event. I decided to garner prayer for the following groups of people – headteachers, teachers, support staff, pupils, governors, Open the Book groups, school chaplains and volunteers.

I put a pair of adult black shoes for the Headteacher and encouraged people to imagine walking in a Head’s shoes.

To target prayer for teachers I had a range of comments from working teachers –  positive and negative. Many mentioned workload.

Support Staff such as cleaners and caretakers are key in schools. I gathered a selection of items to encourage prayer for them.

To encourage prayer for pupils I had some photos of local graffiti to get people to think about young people’s concerns. For example: ‘Lost’ and ‘ What’s the point?’ Perhaps graffiti is a cry for help not unlike a prayer? I had a bowl of water – think of a pupil you know and place a plastic heart in the water as you pray for them. There were also school exercise books to write prayers in.

Governors volunteer time, take responsibility and make decisions.  Prayers for them could be placed on paper and placed in a wooden brick wall.

I put out some costumes, props and information about Open the Book groups.

School Chaplaincy is a passion of mine, as they are able to do life besides our young people. There were pieces of cardboard to write prayers on for them and an increase in their number.

I put out a set of door photos and asked volunteers or potential volunteers to write on hand shapes which doors they would like to open for them at their local school. I produced an Advent calendar to aid prayer for school beyond the event. It can be downloaded at www.cass-su.org.uk/christmas

On a blue cloth I placed some cloud shapes and asked visitors to do some blue sky thinking and write their hopes and dreams for schools down.

There was a basket of thank you cards to take away to encorage writing a note of thanks to someone working in a school.

I don’t think I picked the best time to hold the space, but it seemed to be well received by the people that came. (Friday afternoon)

Here are a couple of comments:

“Excellent, thought-provoking prayer stations with a range of creative ideas for engaging in prayer supported by some intruiging visual aids and materials.”

(A retired schools worker)

“Having a variety of prayer activities based on different aspects of school life was excellent because it helped you think beyond the usual things we pray for schools. It was a good reminder to pray for the whole of school life rather than the things happening imminently. The Advent calendar was particularly good as I was able to take it back to church with me and share it with others, to encourage them to pray for different aspects of school life and to keep praying throughout Advent. “

( A Children’s Minister)

Our prayer cards for schools (35 topics) can be downloaded at https://www.cass-su.org.uk/prayer-cards

Below are some photos from the space