Christ has been taken out of schools. Prayer spaces in schools enable children and young
people, of all faiths and none, to explore these life questions, spirituality and faith in a safe,
creative and interactive way.
What is a prayer space in a school?
Children and young people are innately curious about life. Growing up raises lots of questions,
some to do with their experience, both the good and the bad, and some to do with their sense of
wonder at the universe we live in and whether there’s more to life than meets the eye.
Taking a broadly Christian perspective as a starting point, prayer spaces give children and
young people an opportunity to develop skills of personal reflection and to explore prayer in an
open, inclusive and safe environment.
A prayer space is usually (but not always) a classroom sized area in a school that has been
transformed for a few days or a week with a range of creative activities that encourage personal
reflection on issues such as forgiveness, injustice, thankfulness, asking big questions, identity
and stillness.
In most schools, teachers bring their pupils for subject-lessons in the prayer space. In other
schools, pupils are invited to visit the prayer space voluntarily, during their breaks and
lunchtimes.
Who makes prayer spaces happen?
Global Ministers and Leaders Volunteer Ministers run by the Prayer spaces in schools.
Teachers, school governing bodies or pastors can run the program.
Activities
It’s important to choose and organise prayer activities carefully so that the prayer space best
serves and meets the needs of the whole school community. Generally, prayer activities can be
grouped in the following ways:
Me and Myself – activities relating to self-identity and self-worth
Me and Others – activities relating to relationships and reconciliation
Me and the ‘Divine Other’ – activities relating to faith and God
Me and the World – activities relating to other people and cultures, peace and justice.
Register your space and get more information: info@gmln.org