prayer walking guide

Created by Elijah Adeoye & Don Crook

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).

why prayer walk?

Prayer walking provides us a very practical way of engaging with the Father and our neighbors and neighborhood. This is an OUT (missional) expression of who we are as disciples of Christ as we partner with him on his mission to reconcile the world back to himself. Our neighbors and cities are God’s treasure and we have the privilege of interceding for them because of his love.

Though we can certainly pray effectively in our homes, prayer-walking can inspire us with what and who to pray for: “the visual prompts the vocal.”

practical guide

listen to the holy spirit

Spend time in the Scriptures, reading and dialoging with the Lord. The word you have been meditating on sets the tone for prayers on your walks. This is, in essence, listening to the Holy Spirit. We need to hear from God before we speak to others. Prayer walking can easily become an avenue for memorizing and praying the Scriptures.

continue dialog with the father

As you prayer walk, ask the Father questions like, “what is on your heart Lord?” or “what do you want to discuss today?” or “what / who do you want me to pray for today?” Asking and listening to the Father is a very practical way to partner with the Lord as you prayer walk.

start with the lord’s prayer

The Lord’s Prayer provides a great template for contending for our cities. Starting with thanksgiving and reverence sets our hearts right. Contend in prayer for God’s kind and life-giving rule over human hearts in our city. E.g., “your kingdom come, your will be done on my street as it is in heaven.” Ask for God’s goodness to be revealed to your city in provision for daily needs and forgiven sins / debts, deliverance from temptation, and ultimately being reconciled back to God.

pray for specific people

Pray for the neighbors you know as you walk past their homes. As you meet people, engage in casual dialog, and consider asking, “how can I pray for you today?” Rejections are OK! Even 1,000 rejections will feel like nothing compared to the joy of praying for those who actually respond. You’d be surprised how many people would agree to prayer.

engage in thanksgiving

As you walk, give thanks for your neighbors. They are made in the image of God and are created to be his treasure. He values them as image-bearers and is pursuing many of our not-yet-believing neighbors to be his redeemed people. Paul links thanksgiving for all (1 Timothy 2:1) with God’s heart for all people to be saved (v.4)

Let visual cues and distractions inspire prayer

Let “the visual prompt the vocal” as you visually engage with your community during your walk. What you see can provide specific guides for prayer: as you see what is broken, pray for restoration. As you see what is beautiful, engage in worship. As you walk experience distractions to prayer, turn those distractions into prayer opportunities. E.g., “Lord how would you like me to pray for the bus driver? I see him every day.”

make it a lifestyle

Integrate praying for your neighbors if you already walk your neighborhood. Set aside specific a time and areas/streets to prayer-walk. Consider it an adventure with the Father, if you do not already walk your neighborhood. You can also pray as you walk your grocery store or are at the gym, etc.

research

A wonderful strategy is to take time and review what is a strength of your city or neighborhood. What is its history? Ask God what he intended this place to become when he formed it? What is not aligned with God’s will in my neighborhood? Is it crime, broken homes, broken structures / houses, lack of community, lack of passion for Jesus, identity crises, etc.? Discover what’s going well and ask the Father for that to increase, while asking the Father to heal what’s broken.