Prayer Newsletter: Winter 2025-26

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

Dear Friends,

As winter settles over Scotland with its crisp air and shorter days, we pause to reflect on God’s faithfulness and look ahead with hopeful anticipation. At CVE Scotland, established in 2014, we continue as the only charity dedicated to supporting Christian teachers and school staff in our nation’s schools. In a time when many educators feel isolated amid rising stresses and secular pressures, our calling remains clear: to inspire, equip, and connect these faithful witnesses so they can confidently live out their faith and share Jesus’ love with pupils and colleagues.

This past year has been rich with encouragement. From our webinar on Scotland’s Christian heritage and RSHP explainer events, to the launch of Advent and Easter resources, and active involvement in gatherings like the Catalyst: Making a difference in your local school conference, God has opened doors. We are especially grateful for our valued partnership with Scripture Union Scotland, whose support helps us reach more teachers with practical resources and training.

Now, after much prayer, we step into 2026 with a refreshed vision strategy. We aim to build local networks, refresh our website, host fellowship events, distribute welcome packs to probationer teachers and reallocate job responsibilities for a Scotland Outreach Administrator. Our prayer is that isolated believers become a connected movement, shining as salt and light among over 700,000 pupils. At the start of this new year, let us unite in prayer for resilient educators pointing young people to Christ. Thank you for your faithful intercession—together, we keep gospel hope alive in Scotland’s classrooms.

In His grace, the CVE Scotland Team

CVE Scotland Management Committee members: Megan, Iain, Steve, Kirsteen, Sandra, Elaine, Nigel and Lynn

	Please pray for school staff, school visitors and pupils: –
1	Thank God for the restful break afforded to our schools’ staff over the recent holiday time. May they return refreshed in body and in spirit.
2	Pray for the children and young people who had the opportunity to hear of the birth of Jesus in the last few months; some who may not have another opportunity to do so at any other time in the year.
3	Pray for the chaplains and volunteers who will continue to visit local schools throughout 2026. Pray that they may build strong relationships with both staff and students and be bold to share the Christian faith.
4	During these busy months in secondary schools, with SQA assessments and course work deadlines, pray for our senior pupils that they may work to the best of their ability and be able to focus their attention on their studies amongst all the distractions that are around them.
5	Youth for Christ’s Z-A A Growing Spirituality Research Report Part 2 called for churches to meet young people on their terms (online/digital spaces, addressing real-life issues) to connect them with Jesus amid growing spiritual hunger. Pray for teachers and school staff who can do this daily and give thanks to God that He is moving with this generation.
6	Pray for probationer teachers as they go into the second half of their first teaching year. Pray that they may cope with the workload and their classes and timetable, and for guidance as they start the process of applying for permanent positions in the coming months.
7	Pray for guidance for students who are struggling. Pray for staff to be equipped to support students facing academic or personal struggles, offering hope and direction and demonstrating the love of Christ.
8	Pray that teachers may be surrounded by a supportive community; encouraging colleagues, parents, chaplains and school leaders to foster a collaborative environment.
9	Published in December 2025, the most recent official statistics on pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN), indicate there are 299,445 pupils identified with ASN in Scottish schools, which represents 43% of the total pupil population. This is record high, up 2.5 percentage points from 40.5% in 2024. Pray for these pupils that they be more than a statistic in a published report.
10	Pray for the mental and spiritual health of pupils who are anxious in class. Remember SU Scotland’s Ministry at the Margins and ASN staff and volunteers.
11	Pray for the teachers and pupils in Primary 7 as they commence the transition to secondary school after the summer. Pray that the pupils may be reassured during school visits and that the start of new friendship bonds and relationships with staff may be positive.
12	Pray that God’s love and peace fill every classroom, playground, and staff room across Scotland’s schools.
13	Ask God to uplift school staff who feel discouraged, reminding them of their purpose. For those who are dealing with behavioural issues daily, grant them wisdom to understand each pupil’s needs, patience to respond with grace and strength to uphold a peaceful environment.
14	Pray for student teachers as they go out to schools on their final placements and as they combine this with their academic studies and (for many) part-time employment. May they find supportive colleagues to help address any issues that arise and that Christian staff in their placement schools may show the love of Jesus to them in practical ways.
	Please pray for recent general newsletter themes: –
15	Give thanks for the completion of the RSHP project and the recent Explainer Events for staff and parents. Pray that the resources may be made widely known and utilised in schools across Scotland.
16	Give thanks for the different fundraising activities that take place including Vinted clothing sales and Soup & Pudding lunches. May He provide for the continued work of CVE Scotland and for the connections made with those who take part.
17	Pray for the team of SU Scotland, CVE Scotland and Church Youth Workers who are finalising the material for the Back to School with God 2026 resources. May God continue to lead them and receive all the glory and honour in how the resources are used later this year.
18	Pray for all those involved in the current Education Scotland Curriculum Improvement Cycle review will have a positive impact on the educational experience of children and young people across the 8 curriculum areas. Please pray that the place of Christian values and beliefs in the Experiences & Outcomes and Benchmarks is not diluted. Ask God to guide educational policymakers to support values that reflect His truth and love.
	Please pray for the work of CVE Scotland: –
19	Give thanks to God for calling Nigel Kenny, Scotland Officer with the Christian Institute, to become a Trustee of CVE Scotland
20	Give thanks for the service of Rev Steve Younger who retired from CVE Scotland in November. Pray for his continued work with High Blantyre Baptist Church and the Scottish Baptist College, amongst many others.
21	Pray that Steve’s final publication in the Time for Reflection series (Christianity: Values and Issues – available from January 2026) helps those who deliver lessons and assemblies in our schools. Thank God for the provision of funding to support its publication.
22	Give thanks for the service of Megan Patterson, Chair of CVE Scotland who will be stepping down in the Spring of this year. Please pray that God may direct his person to take on this role and for new Trustees/Management Committee members.
23	Pray for the job description change for our Senior Administrator who will become our new Scotland Outreach Administrator in 2026, reflecting our new vision and purpose to support and bless our teachers in practical ways. Pray that the new responsibilities will be handled effectively.
24	Pray for opportunities for CVE Scotland to engage with local authority probationer co-ordinators to see how we can best help equip, network and support our new teaching staff in 2026.
25	Please give thanks to God for the talent and service of CVE Scotland’s volunteers in the areas of Information Technology, events and social media management and school engagement. Pray for those who are currently considering serving in other ways.
26	Ask God to inspire CVE Scotland’s team with fresh, engaging ways to support those who work in Scottish education and seek to shine His love in their classrooms, staffrooms and wider communities.
27	Give thanks to God for the technical expertise of our website hosts. Pray that this source of support can be developed in the coming months to reach out with our new vision to those who will benefit.
28	Give thanks to God for His goodness in the lives of those who can financially support the work of CVE Scotland. Pray that there may be more who feel able to give regularly, and that funds raised may be used in a God honouring way.
29	Give thanks for the work of our Treasurer, Iain, as he submits grant applications to help support the continued work of CVE Scotland. May we be able to truthfully and accurately share our priorities with the potential grant providers, and that the Lord will move those who are able to stand with us in this work.
30	Pray for opportunities to work alongside the Association of Christian Teachers, and for their plans to produce a new resource Living for Jesus in Education — a practical booklet created with the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship to equip teachers to navigate today’s legal and cultural pressures with confidence, grace and faithfulness.
31	Pray for the three pilot local authority areas where new, local teacher meet-up networks are to be established.

We would also love to pray for you. If you would like to share specific prayer requests, please email Lynn MacMillan at cve@cve-scotland.org.uk.

If you would like to download this prayer letter to read or print as a PDF please click Winter Prayer Letter 2026

We would also love to pray for you. If you would like to share specific prayer requests, please email Lynn MacMillan at cve@cve-scotland.org.uk.

Thank you very much for being part of the CVE Scotland prayer support network.