Every school a prayed for school! That is the vision of Pray for Schools Scotland - to mobilise Christians to pray for schools and support them as they do this.
Children and young people spend the majority of their waking hours in school - far more than in church or at home! We know schools have a huge impact on their attitudes, ideas and thinking: about themselves, the world, and God. Christian pupils, teachers and other school staff members feel increasingly pressurised, particularly as regards to living out their faith in the school context. They need God's help. Will you pray for them?
Prayer changes things. It makes a difference.
Can you commit to pray, in a way that suits you?
REGISTER THE SCHOOL(S) YOU ARE PRAYING FOR BY SIGNING UP BELOW.
By registering your prayers for a school you are joining a network that stretches across the whole of Scotland. If you would like to link up with others praying for the same school as you, tick the box 'Link up'. We will then pass on your email address to the other person registered, inviting them to get in touch (which is at their own discretion). We'll send you a Pray for Schools Update by Mail Chimp three times a year with loads of stories, information and encouragement to keep praying. Finally, your school will appear on the list of prayed-for schools.
Praying for your school is one way of showing your church cares. There are many other ways you do this, and the Serve Your Local School website gives you lots of ideas you might like to try.
Another helpful website is Christian Values in Education Scotland. The website is a one-stop shop with resources for lessons and assemblies, case studies, detailed advice and links to numerous other websites that support schools work. CVE run courses and events throughout Scotland, providing training, information and networking for teachers, schools workers, chaplains, parents and volunteers.
As an individual. You don't need to have a relationship with a school to start praying, only a heart concern to pray. You can pray for your local school, or even one in another part of the country you once attended. If you know a child or young person at school - or a school staff member - you could commit to pray for them. Each year we produce special prayer bookmarks for Back to School with God Sunday. These are aimed at helping you pray consistently for one person, or a particular school. Get in touch if you would like some, for a small donation.
As a group. PFSS can help you link up with others praying for the same school. We have seen prayer groups form through people linking up with one another! Or why not begin a school prayer group, inviting pupils, parents, grandparents, church friends? Some schools prayer groups already meet in various locations across the country - check out where. They would love you to join them!
As a church. Regularly highlight your local school in your prayers and encourage others to pray for schools within a radius of your church. If you are a church leader, have you looked at our Back to School with God resources? These are free resources for leading an all-age service at the start of a new school year - ideal for supporting pupils and teachers in prayer!
The special event. If you are interested in holding a special prayer service to highlight the need for schools prayer and bring people from various churches together to pray, do get in touch. We can help with ideas and resources.
Are my local schools being prayed for?
Download the 'Prayed for schools' document and find out. Even if a school is already being prayed for, please do register with us, as it keeps us up-to-date with what is happening around the country.
Pray for Schools Scotland is an initiative of SU Scotland. We work closely with Pray for Schools England & Wales, who offer separate resources for Education Sunday each September and tie in with the Anglican initiative Thy Kingdom Come each May. Further information and resources, and to register prayer for schools in England and Wales, please visit the Pray for Schools website.
