Guidelines for Planning World
Weekend of Prayer Events 

This guide supports facilitators and leaders in planning World Weekend of Prayer events, with a special focus on the roles and responsibilities of children, who can be involved in multiple ways. (General principles related to effective child participation can be found on our website.)

Before the event

  • Step 1 - Plan for participation early

    • Identify where children can contribute (planning, delivery, reflection). 

    • Decide what decisions children can influence. 


    In the planning process, some questions that may help in event planning include the following. 

  • Who?

    • Who will be invited to participate in the World Weekend of Prayer?

    • What ages will they be?

    • How will they be invited (phone, WhatsApp, paper notice)?

    • What adult supervision will be required, per acceptable ratios of children to adults? 

    • Who will be in charge of planning each event(s)? 

    • Who will be responsible for leading and participating in different aspects of the event(s)? 

  • What?

    • What event(s) shall be run? 

    • What further planning or meetings are needed to prepare (e.g., practice a drama or learn a song), and when can this be done? 

    • What publicity is needed to promote these event(s), and are there actions required (e.g. videos or posters to be created and distributed)?

    • What funding or resources are needed, and where will this come from?

  • Where?

    • What location(s) shall be used? 

    • Is there a need to ask permission for the event (e.g. if you are using a public place)? 

    • Is there a need to arrange access (e.g. keys) for the location(s)?

    • How will the location(s) be cleaned, decorated or prepared?

    • Is any kind of security required?

  • When?

    • When will each event be run? (day and time?)

    • Is there any better or worse time for any event according to any existing calendar or activity? 

    • How long will the event(s) be?

    • Is there a need to end at a certain time because of a venue closure time?

  • Why?

    • Aside from encouraging prayer for other children, are there other aims or goals for the prayer event - e.g. advocating for the needs or rights of children?

    • Are there other ways people can be encouraged to think about the needs of at-risk children? 

    • Is a fundraising focus appropriate to raise money for at-risk children, as well as praying for them?