How can the power of prayer change the lives of young people today?
How can unity in prayer shape the next chapter of education in Western Australia?
Over the last few weeks, in SCEA schools across Perth, there has been a clear movement towards unity between churches and the schools in the areas they serve.
Led by Mr Amit Khaira (SCEA – Ministry Partnerships Coordinator), SCEA is partnering with local churches and educational organisations to shape the sound of prayer in our city across the month of May.
Pictured: Southern Hills Christian College recording session (Melissa Meloni, student Ezra, Steve Scrimgeour, Principal Brett Costin, Ps Aaron Pryce (Chosen Church),and student Bridgette), Swan Christian College recording session (student Jessie, Jacob Attwater (SU), student Jacob, Principal Dr Darnelle Pretourius, Dave Edwards (YouthCare and Providence Church Midland), Ps Chris Brown (Saving Grace Church), Janine Sara (YouthCare), Mundaring Christian College recording session (student Emily, Steve Scrimgeour, Jason Howell (SU), Principal Doug Holtam, student Noah, Ritchie Barnes (YouthCare), Amit Khaira and student Brooke ), Northshore Christian Grammar School recording session (Ps Mike Humberstone (Open Church), student Alyshia, Ps Brooke Humberstone (Open Church), Principal Stuart Chisholm, Liz Tambyrajah (YouthCare),student Karina, and JP Schokman (True North Merriwa), and Ellenbrook Christian College recording session Jon Spurgeon (YouthCare), Ps Garfield Thompson (Gracelife Church), student Sonia Nolte, student Jack Jones, Principal Michelle Schouten, Chaplain Hayley Mordaunt, Ps Tallis Dumbleton (Dreambuilders Church), Steve Freind (Salvation Army).
Across February, SCEA Principals and student leaders have met with members of churches and other organisations for group discussions.
“The goal for these shared conversations is simple: to call the global church across WA to a Month of Prayer in the month of May for the education sector,” Mr Khaira says.
“We want every educational institution in the state to be prayed for by name.”
SCEA schools participate in ‘Round Table’ talks to focus on prayer for Perth Local Government Areas
Such a broad call to prayer – covering all educational institutions in Perth – requires logistical planning and expertise.
The varied needs of educational institutions have been grouped using the thirty (30) Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Perth.
Each Round Table discussed the questions:
- What are the needs in each LGA?
- How is God moving in education?
and
- How can the church continue to pray for that movement?
Pictured: Northshore Christian Grammar School student leaders Karina and Alyshia, and Southern Hills Christian College (SHCC) student leaders Ezra and Bridgette speak at their recording sessions.
Students and school leaders from all secondary schools across SCEA schools were invited to take part in February to share their insights into these questions. Plans are already in motion to include our SCEA primary students in future endeavours of this nature.
“Across the tables, three themes consistently emerged – the keys God has entrusted to each region, the hopes we carry for our cities, and the areas where repentance is needed,” Mr Khaira states.
Pictured: Swan Christian College student leaders Jessie and Jacob speaking at their recording session, and Ellenbrook Christian College students Sonia and Jack sharing at their session this week.
Each Round Table discussion was recorded and will be released throughout May to shape each day’s prayer.
Above local needs and themes, however, one thing stood out clearly – a genuine sense of hope for the future.
Both SCEA staff, students, and members of organisations operating in the local community have been able to share and receive hope as each discussion has unfolded.
This hope lies in members of the church outworking the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) through service to others and building genuine relationships.
This hope for Christian leadership and mission was reflected by Noah (a Year 12 student leader from Mundaring Christian College):
“This year, I want to be a servant-hearted leader. It’s not about me telling people what to do but working with them to help us all to become who God made us to be.”
Pictured: Mundaring Christian College student leaders Emily, Brooke and Noah providing insight at their recording session.
It is this sense of future-focused unity and togetherness that is shaping SCEA’s partnership with Cities of Hope and other organisations to see a move of prayer later this year.
Month of Prayer set for May 2026
Churches across Perth will be invited to join in praying for this city’s educational institutions throughout the month of May.
Each of the 30 days of May will focus on prayer for the educational institutions located in a specific Local Government Area across Perth.
The insights and questions shared by members of the SCEA community will directly fuel prayer for each LGA as the recorded round table conversations are made available to those partnering with the Month of Prayer movement.
SCEA schools are located in a number of Local Government Areas, including Wanneroo, Swan, Ellenbrook, Armadale, Kalamunda, and Mundaring.
We invite staff and families to join their church in prayer on the days designated for those LGAs, as well as throughout the month.
This is a powerful invitation to our SCEA community to continue leading the charge in unity across the church of Perth as we pray for God’s will to be done in the education sector.