6.3 Prayer Ministry
At Jesus Youth locations, optional prayer ministry may form parts of some events. All volunteers are required to take steps to minimise risks, especially considering that those who attend prayer ministry may be doing so from a place of vulnerability.
- Volunteers should pray in mixed-sex pairs (male and female), with the child.
- Unnecessary bodily contact should be avoided to ensure participants do not feel uncomfortable. Further guidance on appropriate contact can be found in appendix.
- Prior permission should always be sought before hands are placed on the head or shoulder of a participant. If a participant voices or shows signs of discomfort, the volunteer can pray over the child without touching.
- Praying over children or giving advice must always be done in a gentle, sensitive and responsible way.
- Event organisers should ensure they maintain a safe environment for prayer ministry to take place. This area should be open, ensuring visibility and transparency, while also maintaining privacy to prevent conversations from being overheard.
- Except in the case of safeguarding concerns, volunteers must ensure what is discussed in prayer is kept confidential and not raised with the participant or anyone else outside the prayer ministry setting.
- In the event a child chooses to disclose sensitive information of abuse within a prayer ministry context, it is imperative to report this to the Safeguarding Officer. Never promise complete confidentiality to the child. While gently establishing clear boundaries, reassure the child that any sharing of their situation will be done on a ‘need-to-know’ basis only. Emphasise that their well-being is paramount, and every effort will be made to ensure they are cared for and supported.
- Children may pray with each other in pairs or small groups.