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?

  • Step 2 - Select appropriate roles

  • Who?

    • Age

    • Confidence

    • Understanding

  • Example

    • Ages 5–9: simple choices, creative input.

    • Ages 10+: discussions, leadership roles.

  • Step 3 - Prepare children

  • Explain

    • Purpose of the event

    • Their role

  • Build Skills

    • Communication

    • Decision-making

    • Leadership

  • Run practice sessions or simulations

    • Speaking in front of others.

    • Sharing ideas with adults.

  • Step 4 - Brief leaders and volunteers

  • Brief leaders and volunteers

    • Listen actively to children

    • Avoid dismissing ideas

    • Share power appropriately goes here

  • Address potential barriers

    • Attitudes about children’s capabilities.

    • Lack of experience working with children.

  • Step 5 - Ensure safeguarding and consent

  • Obtain

    • Child’s informed agreement

    • Parent/guardian consent

  • Confirm

    • Children understand their involvement

    • They can withdraw at any time

During the event

  • Step 1 - Create a safe environment

  • Ensure

    • Trusted adults are present.

    • Children feel respected and comfortable.

  • Encourage

    • Listening

    • Positive reinforcement

  • Step 2 - Support participation actively

    • Give children time to speak.

    • Ask open-ended questions.

    • Adapt if children feel unsure or overwhelmed.

  • Step 3 - Balance guidance and independence

    • Support without controlling.

    • Allow children to lead where appropriate.

After the event

  • Step 1 - Affirm and celebrate

    • Thank children for their contributions.

    • Highlight their impact.

  • Step 2 - Gather feedback

    A feedback form will be available on worldweekendofprayer.com.

    Ask children:

    • What did you enjoy?

    • What could be better?

  • Step 3 - Reflect as a team

    • What worked well?

    • Where can participation improve?

Each year, during the first weekend of June, the World Weekend of Prayer for children at risk unites hundreds of thousands of children and adults across the world in prayer. 

Find out more worldweekendofprayer.com