What if each chair you sat in had been prayed over? Each place you visit? Even your house? How powerful would it be if we filled the world with prayer over every street, every school, every community?
A prayer walk is a form of intercessory prayer, praying for the needs of others around you, even if you don’t know them or their needs. You simply walk around a location and pray for each person, each house, each seat, each need your heart hears.
In this post, we’re discussing how to take a prayer walk and 6 different ways you can use a prayer walk to fill your world with prayer.
Praying as You Walk
On a beautiful Saturday morning, I watched them come in. One by one they arrived and silently entered the sanctuary. No words were spoken, no directions given. They just began to walk. Up and down each pew, pausing here and there. They walked through the whole sanctuary, pausing at every seat, in the alcoves where prayer partners pray with those in need, along the altar kneelers where we receive communion, even around the altar from where service is led.
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I finally asked what they were doing because I’d never seen anything quite like it. This silent, deliberate walk through the sanctuary. Each Saturday morning this group meets and silently prays over the sanctuary. They pray over each seat that will be filled the next morning, covering each person in prayer even though they don’t know who may sit there the next day.
This prayer walk was beautiful and moving. The next morning during church service, the space felt somehow more sacred, knowing my seat had been prayed over.
How Can You Take a Prayer Walk?
You can also do a prayer walk like this – in your own neighborhood, around your office, or around your child’s school. Prayer walking is a form of intercessory prayer, praying for the needs of others around you. As you walk, you silently pray for each person, each house, each need that your heart hears.
Ideally, find a friend or two to walk with you or prayer walk as a family.
As you walk, say silent prayers.
You don’t need to carry a Bible or make a show of what you’re doing.
Simply spend time in prayer, becoming more aware of those around you and ask for God’s blessings upon them.
Maybe you know the specific prayer needs of a neighbor, but more likely you won’t know the specifics. Simply be open to the lead of the Holy Spirit and pray.
Select a scripture for the walk and bring it with you. Say and pray that scripture as you walk.
What to Pray on a Prayer Walk
Maybe you know the specific prayer needs of a neighbor, but more likely you won’t know the specifics. Simply be open to the lead of the Holy Spirit and pray.
Below are some examples of how you can pray as you walk, even if you don’t know the people you’re praying for.
- If you see a bench in the front yard, pray for those who will sit upon it.
- If you see bicycles, pray for the safety of their riders.
- Pray that the members of the household may know Christ and may come to know trust and rely on his guidance for their lives.
- Pray for health and safety.
- Pray for the raising of children and grandchildren.
- Choose a scripture and pray it as you walk.
A prayer walk is a way to bless others around you, covering them in prayer. It will also bring you a greater awareness of those in your neighborhood and those in need.
Let’s look now at 6 ways you can take a prayer walk.
6 Prayer Walk Ideas
Idea #1: Prayer Walk Through Your Own Neighborhood
Walk around your own neighborhood praying over every house, ever neighbor.
- If you see signs of children in the house, pray for those children to grow up knowing God. Pray for the parents to have wisdom and patience in their job of parenting.
- If you see signs of teenagers in the house, pray for safety as those kids begin to stretch their wings. Pray they will find a sure path and stay well-grounded as they grow and leave the house.
- If you see a ‘for sale’ sign in the yard, pray for a smooth transition and move for the family and the new neighbors who will move in.
Idea #2: Prayer Walk Through Another Community
You can take a prayer walk to another community in need of prayer.
Remember safety first if taking a prayer walk to another neighborhood or community. Walk in small groups, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t call attention to your prayer walk, just pray silently as you walk.
Fill that community with prayer, praying for each person you see, each home or business.
If someone asks what you’re doing, explain that you’re praying over the neighborhood. Then ask how you can pray for them.
Idea #3: Prayer Walk Around Your Neighborhood School
Prayer walk around your children’s school or one in your community.
- Pray over the teachers, administrators, and children in that school.
- If you have a directory, pray over each student, each teacher, and each staff member by name.
Idea #4: Prayer Walk Around Your Church
Prayer walk around your church.
- Pray for the people who will be in each room, each chair.
- Pray for God to speak into their hearts, to heal what’s broken and comfort what ails.
- Pray that they would be changed in this place.
Idea #5: Prayer Walk Through Your Workplace
Pray as you walk around your office.
- Pray over each cube or desk you pass as you walk to the break room.
- Pray for God’s love and healing touch to reach each person.
- Pray for wisdom and discernment for good decisions as you pass each meeting room.
Idea #6: Prayer Walk Around Your Home
Take a prayer walk around your home.
- Pray over each room and the people who use it.
- Pray over each bedroom, for the needs of that family member.
- Pray over the kitchen and the meals that will be prepared there.
- Pray for God’s blessings and protection over each room in your home.
How Will You Try Prayer Walking?
So, how will you take prayer to the street? How will you try taking a prayer walk?
Will you prayer walk around your neighborhood or around your workplace?
If getting out and about in your neighborhood or community isn’t feasible or practical for you, try one of these six ways to do a virtual prayer walk.
PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Go for a prayer walk around your neighborhood. Pray for each house, each family. Get your whole family involved to pray as you walk around your block.
Resources:
Prayer Walking: Putting Legs to Your Prayers @ Pastors.com
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This post is part of the “Pray Deep” series. For more information on the series or to download a complete set of printable prayer cards, click HERE.
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Linda@Creekside says
Love this. Let’s take back our streets, our neighborhoods, our villages. Let’s pray over them as we walk through them.
And see what He does …
Thanks, Kathryn!
Kathryn says
Yes! Let’s unleash the power of prayer all around us!
Mimi says
what a powerful message. I’m thanking you for reminding me to pray for others as we live and walk in this life everyday. I usually get consumed in my own and my close family concern and forget to pray for others. As I read this, I prayed for my neighbor which I have not done before. Thank you for the reminding me. Be blessed.
Kathryn says
how wonderful – so glad this prompted you to pray for your neighbor! I need to remember to do this as I go outside with the kids. Maybe I could do a prayer bike ride…
Tai East says
I love this! This is a great idea to incorporate in my prayer ministry/group! Thank you for sharing this! This series has been a continual blessing to me! 🙂
Kathryn says
We introduced this with our children’s mission team. We support a local school, so we had the kids pray over the names of every student and teacher – and then encouraged them to continue the exercise by doing a prayer walk around their neighborhood.
Tai East says
Love that! That is so awesome!