Q4 Prayer-walking? Isn’t that just a fad?

4th in a series of “Questions About Prayer.” About a 6 minute read.

In some circles prayer-walking has become a familiar prayer strategy, a prayer tool, that has been employed with powerful effect. In other circles, some may respond, “A prayer-what?”

And yet others may say, “Isn’t that just a fad? I mean, we’re supposed to pray in our closet, right?” There is something to say about praying alone and in secret. Jesus made a point of that. And part of his point was don’t be a show off when you pray. 

What do we mean by prayer-walking? Someone has said it is “praying on-site with insight.”

WayMakers.org

What do we mean by prayer-walking? Someone has said it is “praying on-site with insight” (WayMakers.org).

It’s not a fad. It’s been around a long time. In our Spirit-led imaginations, let’s obediently walk with Joshua and children of Israel encircling the walls of Jericho in worshipful expectation for six days–with smashing results on the seventh. Consider Nehemiah “prayer-riding” his mount through the broken down walls of Jerusalem, researching the desperate need and the burden God had put on his heart to meet the need. Feel Jesus’ compassionate grief as he weeps over Jerusalem. Join Cleopas and his fellow unnamed Jesus-follower as Jesus himself facilitates discussion while they walk and talk together for seven miles on their way home from Jerusalem to Emmaus after the Resurrection. And sense what it may have been like to wait with Peter and the other Jesus-followers for the gift Father promised, on-site in Jerusalem, constantly in prayer.

Prayer-walking is walking with Jesus through our communities, listening closely to him for guidance, and prayerfully pouring his words from Scripture into the community.

Prayer-walking is walking with Jesus through our communities, listening closely to him for guidance, and prayerfully pouring his words from Scripture into the community. It is covert, not showy. It flows from God’s love and compassion in us to those for whom he has compassion. It is Spirit-led, gaining insight into spiritual issues and strongholds particular to the area. 

God may give you life-impacting insight and direction as you prayer-walk. My personal experience includes sensing the Spirit’s direction to a ministry of church planting among the poor as I prayed overlooking Manila on “Eagle’s Nest” mountain on the outskirts of the city. It has included engaging in spiritual battle for the squatter area in which I lived, as laid my hands in intercession on an area map on the wall of my shack. It has included pouring my pastor-heart out to God as I drove around Hillsdale County, Michigan. And included walking the streets of Hillsdale City with our Wednesday night prayer group, petitioning God at the courthouse, the police station, and at the doors of key churches in the area. And during a short-term mission trip to St. Petersburg (Russia), strolling with two precious local pastors, pleading with God in the heart of the city at the Central Post Office for the health of city churches and for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.

Prayer-walking can become a part of life, a part of our worldview, as we live in the moment, keeping in step with Jesus’ presence, silently interceding at work, in our neighborhoods, at family gatherings, wherever God places us.

Prayer-walking can become a part of life, a part of our worldview, as we live in the moment, keeping in step with Jesus’ presence, silently interceding at work, in our neighborhoods, at family gatherings, wherever God places us.

Consider these “how to’s” and “do’s and don’ts as God leads you, your church, friends and families to prayer-walk.

Some of the “How to . . ” stuff

• If praying strategically with a group, choose the part of your target area/zone that you will be prayer walking. 
• Plan where you will meet to start and end. Use those times to commit time to God and to debrief, sharing with each other how God has led, what he is saying to you.
• Plan on praying for about an hour.
• Print out a map (Google Maps, MapQuest, etc.) of the area you plan to walk. Highlight and date when it was walked.
• Pray at significant places, buildings, intersections, monuments, and other meaningful landmarks.
• Greet people as God leads. Let God open doors. Perhaps it’s a time for a word of encouragement/blessing, or to offer to pray for the person and their family, or to share the incredible Good News of God’s love.

 Some of the Do’s and Don’ts

• Do enjoy God’s presence, blessing, joy, burden, knowing that you are partnering with his Kingdom purposes.
• Let God be the Leader–listen follow his lead.
• Gather beforehand to commit the time to the Lord.
• Walk by threes, praying together, sharing what God is impressing on you. A small group can provide shared insight, safety, and confidence of Jesus’ promised presence. (Matthew 18:19-20)
• Groups should have at least one guy along, especially if in a “tough” area. Not being sexist. Just being godly wise.
• Remember you are on the “front lines.” Anything could happen. We are under God’s protection, but he would have us be vigilant and alert.
• Don’t prayer walk after dark.
• Do write down what God has impressed on the group for future reference, and share.

Walk. Pray. On-site with insight. Listen. Respond. Pursue God’s heart. Make a “forever-difference.”

Community Conversation

How would you compare or contrast private “closet prayer” and prayer-walking?

How can you integrate prayer walking into your daily routines?

What experience with prayer-walking can you share with other Pursuing community members?