Summer is such a wonderful time of the year!  We are able to be out and about and visit with neighbors. We get to enjoy the bike trails, and lakes, and play outside.  The next time you are going for a walk, why not also pray?  You can let what you see inform how you pray.  Here is an example:  If you walk past a house that has toys, and strollers in the driveway you can pray that the children enjoy good health to play and that they are blessed with friendships, and are loving toward each other.  You can pray for wisdom for the parents as they raise the children. You can pray that God would provide for their every need.  If you see a home with a beautiful garden, you can thank God for the beauty in His creation and for the hands that planted the flowers.  If you know the families that live in the houses you can pray for them by name and that they would know just how much they are loved by their Savior Jesus.  You get the idea!  You can pray for the police officers and firefighters in your city, that they would be safe.  Pray for local businesses to thrive.  Pray for our communities to be filled with love and not hate, and that people would be kind to one another and feel valued. You can pray scripture by placing the person’s name right in the passage.  For example:  “Lord, I pray that you would open _______ ‘s eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in you.”  Acts 26:18

As we walk through our community talking to God about what we see He begins to soften our hearts for our community.  We pray for ourselves as well, that we would have God’s heart for others and see people like He does.  As we walk and pray it helps us to be more aware of our surroundings.  He helps us SLOW down and take notice.  Thank God for where you see shalom, that is wholeness, or peace where God is working.  And also recognize where there is Broken Shalom, the potential for God to work and restore what is broken.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16    We can approach God Almighty with confidence.  Prayer is a powerful gift that we have been given.  “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17  What a promise, our God hears us!  Even if you can’t get out and walk around, you have an amazing gift to offer others as you can sit and pray for them.

If you aren’t sure where to start, just begin by saying thank you for all that you see.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6   Instead of carrying the burdens and worries that you have turn them over to your Heavenly Father who cares for you!

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

The next time you take a walk on your own, with a friend or your whole family… why not give it a try and talk to God as you walk!