Why pray for schools?
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways your congregation can support local schools. It allows people of all ages and abilities to be part of schools’ ministry, even if they can’t physically go into school buildings.
Here are a few practical ways to encourage prayer for schools:
- Take part in the Pray for Schools initiative (see below). Pray for Schools’ vision is to have every school in Northern Ireland as a “prayed for” school and to have a network of pray-ers registered so that they can have access to support and resources. Although this is an organisation based in Northern Ireland, the principles are also transferrable to the Republic of Ireland.
- Invite each home group or midweek meeting to ‘adopt’ a school and pray for it throughout the year.
- Connect with an existing parent prayer group and offer to host them at your church.
- Add prayer points for local schools into your church announcements.
- Hold an annual prayer night focused on local schools, invite teachers and pupils to share.
- Stay in touch with your local SU E3 worker (NI only) and share their updates, prayer points and social media posts with your congregation.
You could also host a Back to School with God service at the start of each school year. This is a free, all-age resource from Scripture Union to help churches pray for and support those heading back to school.
What is Pray for Schools?
Pray for Schools is a prayer network in Northern Ireland, facilitated by CARE.
Their vision is to see every school in Northern Ireland be a “prayed for” school.
What an amazing vision of which congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland could be a part!
In Northern Ireland there are:
- 820+ primary schools
- 200+ post-primary schools
- 39+ special schools
That is over 300,000 children and young people who attend school in Northern Ireland and they need our support and encouragement as they grow into mature young adults.
Four steps to take:
- Identify a nearby school and commit to praying for it regularly.
- Register your commitment at www.prayforschools.org
- Lead a group to pray – anything from a coffee group to a regular gathering.
- Expect God to move. Keep watch for answered prayers!
This is a great way for your church to quietly but meaningfully support children, staff, and school life.
Back to School with God
Back to School with God Sunday is a great way to encourage pupils, teachers and staff at the start of a new academic year.
Its aims are to:
- Raise awareness of the importance of prayer for schools
- Show Christian pupils and staff they are valued and prayed for by their local church
- Encourage faith to be lived out in school life
Everything you need is provided to run an all-age service, including prayers, PowerPoint slides and teaching points. Supporting resources include children’s activities which can be used in Sunday school or mid-week club at a future date, plus promotional material such as A4 and A5 posters and A5 flyers which can be distributed in the local community.
Visit: www.suni.co.uk/schools/withgod