Prayer Walking

Prayer walking is a way to spiritually engage with the physical places where we live, work, learn and play. It’s a practice of presence and intercession. As we walk, we listen. As we observe, we pray. We ask: “Jesus, what do You want for this place and for the people here?”

When God gave Joshua instructions about claiming the Promised Land, He made a significant statement: "I will give you every place where you set your foot" (Joshua 1:3, NIV). There is something powerful about being physically present in a place while praying for more of God's Kingdom to come there.

Prayer walking helps us to see our communities through God's eyes. As we walk and pray we:

1. Use our imagination to envision what Jesus would want in this place.
2. Bless the homes, businesses, schools, and people we pass.
3. “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7, NIV).
4. “Petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for… all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV).
5. Listen as much as we talk, allowing God to direct our prayers as He shares His heart for those people.
6. Become more aware of both the needs and opportunities around us.
7. Allow our own hearts to be changed, as we share more of Jesus’ compassion for that community.

Prayer walking is especially effective when done with others. Walking with a prayer partner allows you to encourage each other, share what you’re sensing, and gain different perspectives on how to pray.

Practically, just be normal as you walk and pray. Don’t be weird! If you bump into someone, pause praying out loud and say hello. If they want to chat, don’t view that as a distraction but as a God-moment.

As you prayer walk, ask God for specific actions you can take to help move your three people one nudge closer to Jesus. Sometimes the very act of prayer walking will create divine appointments and opportunities you wouldn't have had otherwise.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” (Isaiah 52:7, NIV)

Watch Us Prayer Walk!

We’ve shot a quick video of us prayer walking near to where we live in Long Beach, California. It's available here on this page. You can show this to your family or church group so that they can see how simple it is to start prayer walking!

And here’s a fascinating follow up: in the video we walk past a home of some friends we’ve been praying for. The very next day we ‘happened’ to bump into them and arranged a meal together!

Your Next Steps

1. Where in your community could you prayer walk this week? Consider your neighborhood, workplace, a local school, the park where you play soccer, the shopping area where your three people often visit, etc.
2. What specific things might you pray for as you walk through these areas?
3. Which other believer(s) could you invite to join you in this prayer walk?

Prayer

Lord God, as I prepare for a prayer walk in my community, I ask that You will give me Your eyes to see as You see and Your heart to feel as You feel. Help me to pray specifically and strategically for the places where I set my foot. Use this practice to change my heart and to advance Your Kingdom. I specifically pray for divine appointments with [name your three people] and for wisdom to know how to nudge them closer to You. Give me courage and faith to believe that You can transform lives and communities through prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

More Resources for You!

Did this Plan stir something in you?

We created Empowered to Go: PRAYER to help you move from hesitation to Spirit-led prayerful action in your place of mission!

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