If you’ve already run a 24-7 Prayer style room in a local church (or somewhere else), or you’re familiar with how a Prayer Space works, it won’t take long to adapt your ideas and experiences; perhaps a couple of months? If, however, you’re starting from scratch, we would recommend a 6-month preparation period. (See timeline below)

Timing can be affected by a number of factors. One of these is the availability of space in the school (see later). Timing is also important. You may choose to avoid times when particular year groups are away on trips, or on study-leave, or during exam-times, or you can make deliberate use of them (e.g. a pre-exam-time Prayer Space themed around stress/peace).And talking of themes, you could schedule your Prayer Space for the run-up to Christmas, or Easter, and shape it around those stories. Or you could schedule your Prayer Space for September (or early January) and theme it around ‘new beginnings’... or July, and theme it around ‘change’. (To theme, or not to theme, that is a question!) Or the school may have a multi-activity week in which a Prayer Space can be one element.

Your Prayer Spaces doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but there will probably be things that you’ll want to buy (fairy lights, pens and pads, post-it notes, lining paper, paints, beanbags, sheets to hang-up, a gazebo, etc). The school may have a budget for this, or this may be something that the local schools worker or children’s/youth workers can provide. Obviously, some of the resources you buy for one Prayer Space can be used again next time, or offered to other schools.