We recently had a time for focussed prayer for the church, our community and the world. It was wonderful to know that we were praying together even though we were separate.  We have another opportunity to spend some time in focussed prayer – this time will be a little different.  You don’t need to sign up, and this time we would like you to be intentional about your prayer time as you go for a walk.

May 22nd anytime during the day or evening, go for a walk as a family, by yourself or with a friend and take time to pray.  A “prayer walk” can be done a lot of different ways.  I would suggest praying out loud as you walk along (and with your eyes open so you don’t bump into anything or fall down LOL) in your neighborhood, or around the church or at a park, or at your school and let what you see guide how you pray.  

Here are some examples of what you could pray based on what you might see:

• When you pass a business you could ask God to bless the business owner and help the business to thrive and be a blessing to the community.
• When you see a sign in the yard with a Senior in high school’s name on it, pray for that student and that God would guide them as they start the next chapter in their life.
• If you see children’s toys out in the yard, you could pray that the children are healthy and growing in their understanding of how much Jesus loves them and that they listen to their parents and have peace in their home.
• You can thank God for the beauty that you see with the flowers and trees in bloom
• Pray for racial tensions to lessen and kindness and love to spread.
• When you pass a school – you can pray for teachers who are weary and in need of rest after this very difficult year that they would be encouraged and finish the year well. For students who are learning that they would do their best and stay safe and that those who are struggling with friendships or learning would be included and supported.
• Pray for any community worker you may see – postal service, road construction, firefighters, grocery store workers, police officers etc.
• As you pass a cemetery you can ask God to comfort those who are grieving and that he would be their refuge and sustain them with His perfect love.
• Ask God to bless those neighbors by name that you know – that there would be shalom in their homes and that marriages would be strengthened.
• As you hear the birds sing thank God for his creation and praise him for who he is. (Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Friend, Companion, Healer, Alpha and Omega, Able, Good Father)
• If you pass a church – pray for the Pastor and leaders that they would be grounded in the truth of God’s word and proclaim the gospel with love.
• Pray that God’s Kingdom would come and His will be done. (and any other part of the Lord’s prayer that comes to mind – lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil)

 

Those are just a few of the ways that you can let what you see guide how you pray.  Take time to notice, and be aware. Ask God to guide your prayers before you begin, that you would listen as well as talk.  You could write a couple of scripture verses on a 3×5 card to take with you and pray those for the families that you pass.  (suggested verses on the prayer resource can be found on the Household WELL download page on our website, www.livelifetogether.com)

As you are walking and you meet up with someone, you can certainly engage in a conversation and let them know you are praying as you walk and would be happy to pray for them as well if they had any concerns.  You could even offer to stop and pray right then if you would like to. There is no pressure to do this and not a requirement, but be open to what God might be wanting to do.  The amazing thing about prayer walking is that it can happen anytime, anywhere.  Certainly not just on May 22nd, but how fun to know many of us on that day will be walking and talking to our Heavenly Father asking him to help us love our neighbors and that they would know and love him as well.

If you have any questions contact Amy at [email protected].  You can share stories with us and let us know how it goes.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:12