“You have no idea how much there is to let go of!” Prayers from a School in Newcastle, EnglandPhil Togwell - 16 Jul 2013

Anne Fothergill is a School Pastor at Walker Technology College in Newcastle. Her team recently hosted their first-ever prayer space.

"And what a week it was! We set up 7 prayer activities from the Prayer Spaces in Schools website, complete with a gazebo, low lighting, various props and music. Students and teachers alike remarked upon the calm atmosphere and most said that it was a positive experience, no matter where they stood from a faith perspective.

Teachers would often pre-warn us of a challenging class, and then be openly shocked that there was no misbehaviour. Some of the young people were moved to tears by the whole experience, and many remarked that having time to think was helpful.

We weren’t prepared for what happened in the 'Prayer Wall' area. Students used this to post R.I.P. messages to people they had lost. One student wrote, “RIP - wish it meant return if possible”. Reading them, as well as seeing the grief and pain the students felt as they posted their messages, was very moving and humbling for us. We were told that we’d “reduced the cleaners to tears” as they'd tidied the room one evening.

Students returned to use the ‘Forgiveness Stones’ activity again and again. One of the older girls returned to the 'Letting Go' booth and said, “You have no idea how much there is to let go of!”

Students asked lots of 'Big Questions' too;

“How does God hear if you pray in your head?”

“How long has prayer been around?”

 

“How does God answer your prayers?”

 

“Can you go to parties?”

The Head of Humanities admitted that he'd been sceptical about the prayer space before it opened, but was impressed with how successful it had been. The Head teacher is going to provide us with a permanent prayer space room from September as he recognised the benefit of giving students continued opportunities to pray, reflect or off-load in this. Bring it on!!"

If you'd like to know more about Prayer Spaces in Schools you are welcome at our day conferences in London, Bradford, Bristol and Edinburgh in the Autumn. Click here for more details.