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When Walking Becomes Ministry

During this strange season of social distancing, our sidewalks and streets have seen a remarkable increase in pedestrian traffic.  Adults, children and families are outside walking as I’ve never before seen in our neighborhood.  You might be among those “walkers.”  And what if this unexpected season provided you with a new opportunity for ministry?  What if walking became ministry?

What we’re describing is “Prayer-walking.”  What is Prayer-walking?  Prayer-walking involves taking our prayers to the very places where we desire to see God’s presence manifested and our prayers answered. Prayer-walking is the powerful dynamic of praying on-site with God’s sight. Prayer-walking uses the sights, sounds, even smells to engage both body and mind in the ministry of prayer. (from Cru website)

Graham Kendrick defines prayer-walking as, “Ordinary believers stepping into the streets to pray effectively for their neighbors, with eyes wide open to real needs and with ears open to the promptings of God’s Spirit.  This kind of intercession becomes an adventure.”

It is praying specifically, geographically, purposefully and attentively.  It is asking, “Holy Spirit, where are you already at work? What are the needs around me? To whom are you calling me to show compassion?”

Prayer-walking is praying with our eyes wide open—and with our hearts open to the people around us.  Prayer-walking opens us up to notice, to show compassion; it grows our love and reminds us of our frame.  And it turns our heart to worship as we watch God at work.

Would you like to learn more?  Join Wiley Lowry and Ed Hartman for a brief conversation on “Prayer-walking” and consider adding kingdom-focused praying to your daily walking in your neighborhood.

As you walk and pray you will be a person of secret influence; interceding to the Father, in the name of the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit to the One who works where no man can work, who ac¬complishes tasks beyond man’s ability to accom¬plish, and who gains glory where man sees no glory. God will respond to your intercessions, not because He has to, but because He has chosen to do so.