Prayer Walking in the Neighborhood

In my neighborhood are paths of sidewalks, interconnected with other neighborhoods that weave past hundreds of families. Around sunset this time of year, the sidewalks fill with people walking their dogs, couples getting exercise, and kids biking in swarms through the streets. And sometimes, I’m one of them! With my dog Loki on leash, we walk. And as we walk, we talk to God.

Prayer walking is a powerful way to pray for what’s around you. It’s a way to be an intercessor to God for neighbors, using your eyes and heart to focus on the needs of those directly around you.

And what I love about it: it’s simple. As you or your family are putting on your walking shoes, ask God to prepare your heart for what to pray for. Then, go walk!

When you walk by an unkept yard, you might pray for the health and life of the people who live indoors. Or when you walk by a family playing in the yard, you could thank God for the fun they are having and that they would rest well that night.

You also bring hard things to the Lord too. One time I walked by a duplex where a loud conversation was heard through the window aimed at an overwhelmed toddler. I was able to go before God and pray for His peace and wisdom to enter that home. I think God purposely timed me walking by so they would be cared for by a stranger praying outside their home, whether they knew it or not.

And fair warning, always be ready to receive what God might be up to and His invitation to be involved in your community (because He likely will involve you in a great way!). In another country, one of our dear friends was prayer walking in English where the neighborhood spoke another language, and one day a stranger approached him saying, “You speak English? We could use an English teacher!” Soon, he and his family went with this stranger to teach English, and within a couple weeks God did the miraculous and used his family to turn an entire community to follow Jesus. All from prayer walking in the neighborhood!

I love this idea from the C.S. Lewis Institute: as you prayer walk, your prayers could be the beginning of a neighborhood revival! Your heart will grow for your neighbors and your community, and you’ll be bringing the Kingdom of God here on earth. What a joy it is to pray for others!