Starting a Pupil Prayer Group
Do the things you see happen at school trouble and upset you? Would you like to bring God into your school situation? Why not consider setting up a prayer group in your school! Here are some guidelines to get you started.
Pray about your plans, asking God to lead you to the right contacts and direct your planning.
Share the idea with some other pupils who might be interested.
Talk to any existing SU or other Christian group which meets in the school and get them on board - it is important for Christians to work together
Identify a Christian staff member, youth worker, chaplain or SU worker (you can find out who your SU worker is here) and share your idea with them.
Find out who in the school needs to give permission for it to happen and get their approval.
Plan an initial meeting.
Produce a poster about the initial meeting. Make sure you inform of future meetings in case folks can't attend the first one.
Contact known Christians in the school and invite them along, or ask them to give you suggestions for prayer.
Check out if your school is already a prayed for school! Email pray@suscotland.org.uk to check this out and, if so, let that group know what is happening - you need prayer support! Keep them posted with prayer requests and regular updates on how your prayer group is going. If no one is already praying, you can register your school with Pray for Schools Scotland.
Inform your church of your plans, and ask for prayer.
Prepare to start small. Don't be disappointed if hordes don't turn up! Two or three praying regularly can make a real difference.
Continue to raise the profile of prayer in your school. Could you lead an assembly? Or make a prayer box for pupils to post in prayer requests and leave it in a safe, but prominent place? (Remember to empty it regularly!) Perhaps turn an empty contemplation room into a prayer space? (see www.prayerspacesinschools.com for ideas of what to put in it).
Persevere. Remember people will be watching you, to see how easily you give up! Bear in mind 1 Timothy 4:15-16: "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
