Start here · 15 minutes
How to start SchoolPrayer
If you are interested in answering your call to start SchoolPrayer, this page will help. You do not need SchoolPrayer’s permission to begin, though once you start, we would greatly appreciate you registering with SchoolPrayer. Your local school district and administration policies determine the specifics of what SchoolPrayer is permitted to do in your school.
Questions along the way? Write us at hopebelongshere@schoolprayer.us.
First, the groundwork
Four steps every group takes
SchoolPrayer meetings only take 15 minutes. SchoolPrayer prefers daily prayer, but even two to three meetings a week has the potential to change school culture and greatly benefit students. Mornings or lunchtime work best; after-school meetings may see limited attendance because of activities.
Confirm student interest
SchoolPrayer must be voluntary. Connecting with students, teachers, pastors, youth leaders, and other devoted Christians is a great way to determine whether students are interested.
Learn your district’s policies
One of the most important steps. School policies involving prayer may be posted on the district website, but at some point a meeting with the school administration will be necessary.
Meet with the administration
The request is most likely to be positively received when both the leader and some students attend, ideally including someone with a positive relationship with the administration. SchoolPrayer advocates maintaining that positive relationship and respecting the administration’s responsibility to protect our students.
Ask for a 15-minute slot
Prayer in public schools must be held during the free time of students and non-contracted time of teachers. Request a 15-minute time slot, most likely before school or at lunchtime.
A common hurdle, solved
If the morning window is too short because students can’t enter the building early, ask whether the administration would allow the teacher or prayer leader to meet students at the school entrance and escort them directly to the prayer meeting ahead of time.
Room to grow
There can be multiple SchoolPrayer groups in the same school if allowed. SchoolPrayer’s goal is at least one SchoolPrayer group for every 100 students.
Two options for SchoolPrayer
Choose your path
SchoolPrayer can be held either as a Community Group or a School Club. The preferred option is a Community Group, like Boy Scouts, 4-H, or Good News Club. Both paths are laid out below.
| Community Group (preferred) | School Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Who leads | An adult: a teacher or a non-school person | Students lead; a faculty advisor guides |
| Meeting place | Usually the leading or hosting teacher’s room | Set by the club with the administration |
| Content prep | Leader prepares (not during a teacher’s contract time) | Students prepare; advisor can help off contract time |
| Promotion | Word of mouth | School media and announcement system allowed |
| Paperwork | Usually none required | Mission statement, constitution, and similar documents |
Preferred option
Path 1 · Community Group
Show the 5 steps
A Community Group is led by an adult, either a teacher or a non-school person. If led by a teacher, the meeting place will normally be that teacher’s room. If led by a non-school person, a teacher may be allowed to host the meetings, or the administration will designate a meeting place.
1. Choose your adult leader
A teacher or a non-school person can lead. The leader can prepare meeting content and lead the meeting, and other guests can be invited to lead the group.
2. Settle the meeting place
A teacher may host the meetings in their room, or the administration will designate a meeting place.
3. Prepare your meeting content
Note: if the leader is a teacher, they cannot prepare content during their contract time and most likely will not be allowed to use the school copier and supplies. Concerned about what to cover? SchoolPrayer has prepared suggestions: view suggested content.
4. Spread the word
Community Groups most likely cannot use the school media/announcement system to promote SchoolPrayer, but they can promote their meetings by word of mouth.
5. Register your Community Group
Once you have started, please register. You will receive a printable SchoolPrayer certificate to post where you meet, and your group joins the National Registry documenting the growth of the SchoolPrayer movement. To protect our students, SchoolPrayer is required to run a background check before providing a certificate, paid for by SchoolPrayer.
Student-led option
Path 2 · School Club
Show the 5 steps
A School Club must be student-led. The teacher/advisor (a school employee) is limited on input during the meeting and cannot lead prayer or lead the discussion, but can guide the discussion and be involved in preparing meeting content.
1. Gather your student leaders
The club is led by students. Teachers and non-school persons can help organize the club’s formation off school property; a church, for example.
2. Select a faculty advisor
The advisor must be a school employee. They can guide (but not lead) the discussion and can help prepare meeting content, though not during their contract time.
3. Prepare your organizational documents
A School Club will most likely be required to have organizational documents such as a Mission Statement, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Suggested documents are provided below.
4. Prepare content and promote your meetings
A School Club can use school supplies and the copier to prepare content, and the school media/announcement system to promote club meetings. Promoting meetings is very important; it has the potential to change the school’s culture. Need ideas? View suggested content. Non-school persons cannot regularly attend school club prayer meetings; guest speakers can be invited, but not on a regular basis.
5. Register your School Club
Once you have started, please register. You will receive a printable SchoolPrayer certificate that can be posted where you meet. To protect our students, SchoolPrayer runs a background check before providing a certificate, paid for by SchoolPrayer.
Know where you stand
Fundamental SchoolPrayer rights
If your school allows other community groups or other extra-curricular school clubs, they need to allow SchoolPrayer in a similar fashion. Read why SchoolPrayer is legal →
If your school does not allow clubs or community groups
We suggest you go to your school board and respectfully propose change.
Our standing conduct policy
SchoolPrayer maintains a policy of prohibiting harassment and antagonizing behavior.
Questions?
Please contact hopebelongshere@schoolprayer.us with any questions.
For school clubs
Organizational documents for SchoolPrayer clubs
Offered as suggested organizational documents for a SchoolPrayer group forming as a school club. Using these specific documents is not required, but your school will most likely require some organizational documents to form your club. Forming as a community group instead? Documents may not be required; your administration will most likely tell you if you need them.
§SchoolPrayer Constitution▾
Statement of Goal. SchoolPrayer is a non-denominational Christian movement that will strive to reestablish a culture of consistent prayer in public schools.
Mission Statement. Fostering a supportive environment, students of all backgrounds can come together to engage in prayer. Through meaningful prayer gatherings, we aspire to create a space that promotes personal growth and a strong sense of community. We aim to encourage students to be the very best versions of themselves.
Membership. Members of our SchoolPrayer Club must be students in our school. Any student who has Christian beliefs or desires to become a Christian can be a member, from any Christian denomination. Members strive to be the very best version of themselves.
Officers. Officers must be active members, elected by majority vote at the annual meeting for one-year terms. President: chairs and coordinates all SchoolPrayer meetings. Vice-President: assumes the President’s responsibilities in their absence. Secretary/Treasurer: maintains the minutes and any financial records.
Advisor & meeting rules. The club selects its faculty Advisor, who must be an employee of the school. The Advisor can prepare content for the meeting and guide, but not lead, the discussion. Robert’s Rules of Order are used to define any situations not covered by the constitution.
§SchoolPrayer Bill of Rights▾
What students may do:
• Meet with other religious students and discuss religious issues on campus.
• Talk about their religious beliefs on campus.
• Hand out religious literature on campus.
• Pray alone or with fellow students, as long as they do not disrupt school activities; their prayers may not be forced upon others.
• Have their Bible on campus.
• Write research papers, speeches, and other creative projects with religious themes.
• Request exemption from classes that contradict their religious beliefs (availability varies by district policy).
• Study and celebrate religious holidays on campus.
• Meet with school officials and make religious requests.
Started? Make it official.
Register your group to receive a printable SchoolPrayer certificate and join the National Registry documenting the growth of the movement.
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