Prayer Spaces in Schools: First report from Thessaloniki, GreecePhil Togwell - 11 Feb 2014

Prayer spaces can have a deep impact...

Last week, a Christian teacher at a private school in Thessaloniki hosted the first prayer space, at least that we know of, in Greece. 

"It's developing really fast," he said. "The students from the high school helped to build and create a room just how they want it. When other students came to visit, at first they said that it was weird, but it didn't take long for them to join in... many said that they wanted to find some space for themselves and God.

Other teachers responded to the prayer space like happy little children, and some said that they would like a corner of the room all to themselves, where they could read the Bible.

In general, the Greek people are in difficulties. The financial crisis affected us very early and very deeply, and a lot of people are stuck in poverty. However, some of the parents were so excited by the impact of the prayer space on one student's character that they decided to help out by raising some money to develop the prayer space. A small office room is changing into an area where students can find a refuge.

The educational system in Greece does not provide enough resources and pedagogical input for students to grow spiritually and to become fully human. But these prayer spaces can have a deep impact, they can cause an awakening here."