There are many facets to prayer. During the month of November we will spotlight a few of them.
Today’s topic: Prayerwalking
All over the world, God is helping Christians to pray as they walk through the streets of their communities. The idea of prayerwalking through your community is to allow your prayers to extend beyond your own concerns, focusing on the needs of others, while opening yourself to see them with God’s eyes and heart.
Prayerwalking is simply taking our prayers to the very places we desire to see God’s presence manifested.
Another way to put is: Praying on sight with God’s insight.
#prayerwalking PRAYERWALKING: PRAYING ON SIGHT WITH GOD’S INSIGHT. Takes the focus from your needs to others needs. https://t.co/GrNytKnxGZ
— Beckie Lindsey (@BeckieLindsey_) November 2, 2015
Prayerwalks are taken by individuals, groups and even whole churches. They can be as short as one block or as long as many miles. The idea is to use the five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—to enhance the intercessor’s (those praying) understanding of prayer needs.
The purpose of prayerwalking is not to pray publicly in order to draw attention to yourself or group. Rather, the purpose of prayerwalking is to pray in the city among the people in order to gain an awareness of their specific needs.
Here’s an example: While walking, you pass a husband and wife having an argument. As you pass by, you silently pray for peace, kindness, and a healthy and happy marriage.
Although you won’t find the word ‘prayerwalk’ in the Bible, walking was a major mode of transportation in biblical times, and clearly people must have walked and prayed at the same time. When God made a covenant with Abraham, He said to him:
“Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 14:13-17 NLT (emphasis mine)
I remember the day we first moved into our home. We had waited months for it to be built and now we were going to move in! My family stood on the front porch and prayed, thanking the Lord and dedicating the house for His use. With great excitement we walked through every room, opening closets and cupboards, examining every detail. We walked around the outside, front yard and back. At first, it seemed like a dream, but over time, we began to take possession of “our” house.
I believe this is why God had Abraham walk his property. God wanted Abraham to truly take possession of his land and exert his authority over it.
Another important purpose for prayerwalking is to repossess land currently under the enemy’s control ( John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 4:4) and regain it for God’s kingdom. Remember there were other people living in the land when God told Abraham to walk through it. It would be hundreds of years before God’s promised land would be possessed by Abraham’s descendants. However, in the spirit realm, it belonged to Abraham the moment God gave it to him. It is the same for us, as Abraham’s descendants now.
The sin of Adam and Eve brought a curse on the earth, giving the devil legal grounds to exert authority over earthly realms. Jesus broke the power of the enemy by dying for our sins on the cross and leaves it to His church to enforce the power of what He did on the cross until He returns. While we wait, our job is to take back all the ground that Satan currently holds. Every place on this earth that does not have the full light of the truth of God’s glory and grace through Jesus, is there for us to claim and possess! While prayerwalking, we can boldly claim God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done.
Preparation To Prayerwalk
- Pray for God’s Spirit to search your heart—Psalm 139:24-25
- Confess and forsake all known sin—1John 1:9
- Pray in repentance and faith—Mark 1:15
- Pray for discernment to pray strategically—Ephesians 1:8
- Pray for opportunities to share the hope of Christ boldly—Colossians 4:2, Acts 4:31
- Sketch a map to focus on a selected street, businesses, homes etc.
- Write out scriptures on note cards.
- Keep track with a prayer journal where you are walking and scriptures being used.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
How To Prayerwalk
- Ask God to remove barriers.
- Invite the Spirit to accompany you.
- Pray with a partner, group or alone.
- Pray Bible verses aloud quietly (unless it will be drawing undue attention).
- Watch for God to show you what He wants you to pray for.
- Pray for present hour needs as God reveals them.
- Use short sentences, talking to God in a conversational manner.
- Walk slowly.
- Be prepared to explain what you’re doing to inquirers. “We’re praying for God’s blessing on our neighborhood. Is there anything you’d like us to pray for you?”
- Be persistent. Repeat the same areas near your work, school, or home on a regular basis. You’ll see it deepens your awareness of God’s heart.
After Your Prayerwalk
- Record in your prayer journal what took place on your prayerwalk and any answered prayers.
- Thank and praise the Lord for what He is doing in your community/city.
Some Locations To Consider For A Prayerwalk
- Your neighborhood or work
- Government buildings
- Churches or possible locations for new churches
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Business areas
- Sights of other religions, false religions, or cults
I have experienced great benefits and results from prayerwalking (and jogging). But I’d also like to mention, to believe that prayers offered in any setting, or while in any position, are somehow ‘more effective’ than those offered at another time or in another manner is NOT scriptural. Our heavenly Father, who is everywhere at all times, knows exactly what needs are presently and will respond to them in His own perfect will and timing.
Let’s rejoice in the fact that He allows us to be part of His plans through our prayers!
What are your thoughts on prayerwalking? Please respond in the comments below.
Want to read more on prayerwalking? Suggested reading:
http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Walking-Praying-Site-Insight/dp/0884192687
http://www.amazon.com/PrayerWalk-Becoming-Prayer-Strength-Discipline/dp/1578563763
Beckie, I actually travel to Syria done years ago to join in a year long prayer walk in that country. My part only lasted a matter of days, but while there we prayed God’s grace would become know to the people who lived there. Now, we are not strangers to what is happening in that country. War had ripped through its cities and neighborhoods. Its citizens have fled for their lives only to find themselves e.campef
It goes along with the idea to “pray without ceasing.” Great thoughts, Beckie!
encamped in countries who wish they would go away. But instead of misery they are finding Jesus. They are experiencing Him for the first time and are commiting their lives to following Him. An unexpected method to an answered prayer.
Patty, Thanks for sharing this testimony of the power of prayer and prayerwalking. God is so good! He uses even evil and turns it to good. I’d love to hear more about this! I think the readers of Spotlight would as well. Hmm…maybe a guest blog?
This is so incredible. What a great resource and encouragement. I’m excited you’re going to be talking about prayer in November. And I can’t wait to see what God’s going to do through all the prayer walks that are going to take place around our country from California to Carolina! Amen!
I literally have tears in my eyes as I read the responses to this post. Praise the Lord and Amen! Thanks, Jean. Please keep me posted on your prayerwalks.
Reblogged this on deascycles.com and commented:
This is one of the best ideas that I have heard in a long time. I am thinking of getting a group in our community to start doing this. Why don’t you do the same?
Tony, Thanks for reblogging to get the word out there about prayerwalking. Please let me know how your prayerwalk turns out. Blessings on you and the others who will join you!
Very well thought out and delivered. Many years ago when I was going through a tough time in my life, I would step outside my front door and local church members faithfully walked each morning praying and interceding for the neighborhood.
Although the did pray aloud, I grabbed ahold of words spoken in faith and it helped to change my life forever. One of the very reasons I’m here today reply to this excellent post. Thanks for sharing, as I am a living witness. Prayer walking DOES WORK!
Shira, I cannot thank you enough for telling this wonderful testimony. Thank the Lord for prayer warriors who take their prayers on the road. I want to be like that! Does the woman know the difference she made in your life?
Very well thought out and delivered. Many years ago when I was going through a tough time in my life, I would step outside my front door and local church members faithfully walked each morning praying and interceding for the neighborhood.
Although they did pray aloud, I grabbed ahold of their words spoken in faith and it helped to change my life forever. One of the very reasons I’m here today to reply to this excellent post. Thanks for sharing, as I am a living witness. Prayer walking DOES WORK!
I love this and see exactly what you mean. Prayer walks are an absolutely powerful vehicle for connecting. Thanks for this invaluable insight!!