PRAYER WALKING

Welcome back to the Discipleship blog series. If you haven’t read the previous posts, you can find them here.

Last time we learned how every disciple - every follower of Jesus - needs to be able to see not just where God’s Kingdom is, but where God’s kingdom isn’t.

This week we are learning about Prayer Walking.

God’s Word says that we should “petition, pray, intercede and give thanksgiving for all people, for kings and all those in authority – so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth,” (1 Timothy 2:2-4).

​Prayer Walking is a simple way to obey God’s command to pray for others. Prayer Walking is just what it sounds like - praying to God while walking around.

Instead of closing our eyes and bowing our heads, we keep our eyes open to the needs we see around us and bow our hearts to ask humbly for God to intervene.

You can prayer walk in small groups of two or three or you can prayer walk by yourself.

If you go in a group - try having everyone pray aloud, a conversation with God about what everyone is seeing and the needs that God brings to their hearts.
If you go by yourself - pray silently or aloud if you pray with someone you meet along the way.

Here are four ways you can know what to pray for during your prayer walk:

• Observation -- What do you see? If you see a child’s toy in a yard, you might be prompted to pray for the neighborhood’s children, for families or for schools in the area.
• Research -- What do you know? If you have read up about the neighborhood, you might know something about the people who live there, or if the area suffers from crime or injustice. Pray about these things and ask God to act.
• Revelation -- The Holy Spirit may nudge your heart or bring an idea to mind for a particular need or area of prayer. Listen - and pray!
• Scripture - You may have read part of God’s Word in preparation for your walk or as you walk, the Holy Spirit may bring a Scripture to mind. Pray about that passage and how it might affect the people in that area.

Here are five areas of influence that you can focus on during your prayer walk:

• Government - Look for and pray over Government centers such as courthouses, commission buildings or law enforcement offices. Pray for the area’s protection, for justice and for godly wisdom for its leaders.
• Business and Commerce - Look for and pray over Commercial centers such as financial districts or shopping area. Pray for righteous investments and good stewardship of resources. Pray for economic justice and opportunity and for generous and godly givers who put people before profits.
• Education - Look for and pray over Educational centers such as schools and administration buildings, vocational training centers, community colleges and universities. Pray for righteous educators to teach God’s truth and protect the minds of their students. Pray that God would intervene in every effort to promote lies or confusion. Pray that these places would send out wise citizens who have a heart to serve and lead.
• Communication - Look for and pray over Communication centers such as radio stations, tv stations and newspaper publishers. Pray for God’s Story and the testimony of His followers to be spread throughout the city and around the world. Pray that His message is delivered through His medium to His multitudes and that God’s people everywhere will see God’s work.
• Spirituality - Look for and pray over Spiritual centers such as church buildings, mosques or temples. Pray that every spiritual seeker would find peace and comfort in Jesus and not be distracted or confused by any false religion.

Finally, here are five ways you can pray for people you meet during your prayer walk:
As you walk and pray, be alert for opportunities and listen for promptings by God’s Spirit to pray for individuals and groups you meet along the way.

You can say, “We’re praying for this community, is there anything in particular we can pray for you about?”

Alternatively, say, “I’m praying for this area. Do you know anything in particular we should pray for?”
After listening to their response, you can ask about their own needs. If they share, pray for them right away. If the Lord leads, you may pray about other needs as well.

Use the word BLESS to help you remember five different ways you can pray:

• Body (health)
• Labor (job and finances)
• Emotional (morale)
• Social (relationships)
• Spiritual

 In most cases, people are grateful you care enough to pray.

If the person is not a Christian, your prayer may open the door to a spiritual conversation and an opportunity to share your story and God’s story. You can invite them to be a part of a Bible study or even host one in their home.

If the person is a Christian you can invite them to join your prayer walk or train them how they can prayer walk and use simple steps like praying for areas of influence or the BLESS prayer to grow God’s family even more.

Prayer Walking - another simple tool to help you make disciples.

​Do you prayer-walk?
If so, how do people respond?
If not, will you try?
Let us know in the comments.