from Jane Newey, Pray for Schools England Coordinator

P4S logo 2April 2012

Dear Friends

I am writing to let you know the dates for Pray for Schools fortnight. This year it is from 6 to 20 May.  We have already received a number of notifications of events around the country.

I have recently taken over the role of Pray for Schools Coordinator after Joanne Appleton* has stepped down. She has been faithfully doing the job for over 7 years. Our thanks to her for the great groundwork she has done (all voluntary!).  Hundreds of schools are now being prayed for regularly.

Before she left Joanne put together some resources for this years event. Our theme is Running the Race based on Hebrews 12:1-14**.

The resources can be downloaded from the website.
http://www.prayforschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/RUNNING-THE-RACE-prayer-resource.pdf

We have recently been in conversation with  “Prayer Spaces in Schools” and we are now in partnership with them.  More information in the summer newsletter. Perhaps there is a group near you.***
http://www.prayerspacesinschools.com/home

Please do have a look at our newly updated website and keep up to date with our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further assistance with your events.

Jane Newey
Pray for Schools England Coordinator
find out more about Pray for Schools at www.prayforschools.org

* Joanne was special guest at last October’s Thurrock & Havering Schools’ Prayer Day
** Hebrews 12:1-14 (NIV) reads:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.’

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

*** “Prayer Spaces in Schools” operates in a number of schools in Thurrock – for more information contact Carla Taylor via the Stanford Boiler Room (aka “217”).