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Prayer Space
Prayer Space is a place which is ‘set apart’ from the pressures of every day teenage life and the expectations of academic achievement. It allows students to think about the nature of prayer and how it can be used to help build a relationship with God. It follows a biblical theme.
Prayer Space 2023
Prayer Space 2023
God is Love 1 John 4:8
Prayer Space 2023 focussed on the theme of God's love. Students were invited to explore 5 key prayer stations which looked at:
Love Sacrifices -John 3:16.
Students explored the idea of sacrificial love poured out through the body and blood of Christ at the filthy rags cross. Students were able to place a filthy rag in the cross and understand the great exchange of our filthy rags for Jesus' forgiveness and riches at the cross.
Love Heals - Matthew 22:37-38
Students were invited to sit beside still waters. They were encouraged to reflect upon loving God and loving others as yourself. How can you love others if you do not love yourself? They placed a rock in the healing waters of God's grace and prayed for God's love to breakthrough.
Love Acts - Micah 6:8
This station was inspired by God’s love and heart for justice. Students learnt about the work of ‘Meninadanca’ a charity who works to help restore and rebuild the lives of young girls who have been rescued from sexual exploitation on the BR116 in Brazil. Students wrote letters of encouragement to the girls who have been rescued and brought to safety in Meninadanca's pink houses.
Love Rests - Mark 6:31
Students explored the invitation of Jesus 'to come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest for a while', and as they reflected upon this, they created a beautiful piece of artwork.
Love Transforms - 1 John 4:11
Different people with different personalities express love in different ways. Therefore, if you want to give and receive love most effectively, you need to learn to speak the right love language! Students learnt the transforming power of love by exploring The 5 Love Languages - based on a book by Dr Gary Chapman. Students learnt about their own personal love language within this prayer station, but how important it is also, to know other peoples love language.
There was also an opportunity for students to remember loved ones at the Remembrance bench as well as an area where they could 'take what they need' which was filled with books and tracts and verses of encouragement.
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Prayer Space 2022
Prayer Space 2022 - The Peace of God
This year the theme was the Peace of God, and it was inspired by Paul's letter to the Philippians.
Students experienced 6 Peace stations.
- 'Peace Doves' station enabled students to share their anxieties and write prayers of thankfulness on doves, which were hung up and looked likes all the prayers were flying to God's throne room of grace.
- 'Peace Letters' station focused upon writing letters to persecuted Christians. We are thankful to the Open Doors organisation for their input and help.
- 'Peace Makers' station, enabled students, through a series of cartoons, to be equipped in how to handle conflict well.
- 'Peace Art' - Students were invited to create a piece of artwork alongside Christian Artist, Sue Salter, as they explored handing over their worries to God in prayer.
- 'Peace in Jesus' - Olive branch cross. Students were encouraged to lay their burdens at the cross of Jesus and in exchange receive Jesus' peace.
- 'Garden of Peace' - Students had an opportunity to remember a loved one at the Remembrance chair and bench.
Here is a video of the Prayer Space (6 mins):
The students loved the artwork, the sense of peace and calm, the Remembrance chair and bench were particularly mentioned. We have wonderful letters to send 'Open Doors' who help support persecuted Christians. The students were equipped in learning about how to handle conflict well. They LOVED the YWAM students! They also mentioned the laying down of burdens at the cross, by holding the large rocks, in exchange for Jesus' peace.
We cannot thank our faithful volunteers enough and a special mention to Jackie Bignell and Renate Moerdijk for their creative input and help. The YWAM students were a MASSIVE hit with the students.
The Garden of Gethsemane Olive Branch Cross
The Peace Doves
The Prayer Space Team, including YWAM (Youth with a mission).
The Olive Branch Cross
Peace letters to persecuted Christians.
The Open Doors Organisation were very thankful to receive Trinity's letters of encouragement, they write:
"We just want to say thank you so much for sending over the letters....they are so heartfelt and precious!
We have sorted them to ensure they go to the right place but please pass on our thanks to your students for the impact these cards will have."
The Garden of Peace and Remembrance
Here are just a few of the comments across all year groups:
"What did you enjoy most about the Prayer Space? "
"It's so calming, relaxing and peaceful" (many, many students)
"It reminded me how much I am loved and how much burden Jesus is carrying for me" (Year 7)
" I enjoyed just reflecting and having time to pray and think about loved ones and reflect on life" (Year 9)
" I liked learning about how to handle conflict" (Year 9)
"The peace it has given me. I feel relieved of a burden that was troubling me" (Year 10)
" It was really helpful to take a break when life's been so stressful" (Year 11)
" It gave me hope" (Year 11)
"It gave me peace that I needed; I enjoyed a space where I could get comfort from Christ" (Year 11)
Some 6th form students also commented:
"We all wanted to say how amazing prayer space looked, it gave off such a peaceful atmosphere...... it was so beautiful to see all the reflections and appreciations in each section. We thought that the sad story of the young boy whose father passed from believing in God and his aspiration and strong belief in God made us reflect and appreciate how lucky we were! Thank you for giving us an opportunity to experience this!"
Prayer Space 2020
Prayer Space 2020 - Jesus
Prayer Space 2020 was based upon Jesus – 'I am the Light of the World' John 8:12.
The Prayer Space is set up so that there are different stations relating to different aspects of prayer. For example, students are encouraged to pray for the Wider World – this year the focus was on the homeless (linked to the work of London City Mission) and modern day slavery.
The Cross is central to the Prayer Space and students take time to sit at the foot of the cross and are encouraged to think about the great exchange that takes place – that Jesus paid the price for our sin and we can receive God’s forgiveness.
A ‘JOY’ board was created where students wrote prayers of thankfulness to God for aspects of their lives.
‘Creative Art’ allows students to partake in a collective piece of art work which reflected the theme of the Week - 'You are the light of the World' Matthew 5:14-16. We also had a clay station which reminded them of the verse 'Yet you LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hands' Isaiah 64:8.
During this week every student has the opportunity to engage in prayer – be that in an interactive and creative way or by spending time in quiet reflection. The feedback from students following the prayer space week is extremely positive. Many commenting that they wished they had ‘more time’ to spend in the prayer space.
“It helped me concentrate and leave all the rest of the world and my worries behind” (Student Year 7)
“It taught me God cares unconditionally” (Year 8)
“It was nice to pray to God” (Year 9)
“It made me think about what I am grateful for. It also helped me achieve peace of mind.” (Year 10)
“It made me realise who I am and how I need to change the way I treat people.” (Year 8)
“[It helped me] to understand that there are so many things to pray about and to be thankful for” (Year 12)
