Prayer Walking: What It Looks Like and How to Get Started
As we continue this Wreck the Roof series, we as a church have an incredible opportunity to begin meeting God in prayer with expectancy for how He might be working in and through our homes, neighborhoods, and community to glorify Himself and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. One powerful way this can happen is through taking part in praying for those immediately around you, especially through prayerwalking!
We believe learning to pray for our neighbors where we live, work, and go is one of the most powerful and loving things we can do for them
Check out these videos to learn more:
https://vimeo.com/500905918
https://vimeo.com/500906227
https://vimeo.com/500906596
WHY PRAYERWALKING:
• Joins us in God’s mission to use our lives to spread the love of Christ ONE PERSON AT A TIME!
• Begins to direct our hearts toward God’s plans for our home, neighborhood, and community as a whole.
• Can help open doors to meeting and connecting with those around us in ways we haven’t before.
WHAT PRAYER WALKING IS NOT:
• Door to door evangelism
• Passing out gospel tracts
• Praying out loud with your hands in the air in your neighbor’s front yard or your boss’s office
• A reenactment of an episode of The Walking Dead
WHAT IT IS:
• A purposeful way to pray for your neighbors by name as you "go" (Matthew 28:19)
• A rhythm of everyday life—it happens as you walk your dog, play with your kids, walk into work, work out at the gym, sit in the coffee shop, etc.
• Trusting God to develop and deepen relationships. He’s the one who works in people to reveal Himself for his glory.
WHERE TO START:
• Map out your “neighborhood.” Maybe it’s an actual neighborhood. Maybe it’s a street, back road, or apartment complex. Wherever you and others around you live can be considered your “neighborhood.”
• Find time throughout the day to step outside or think about normal times you walk/drive places. How can yoMake some observations. What can you notice about people and their lives without even talking to them?
• Lean into those who can help you build relationships with others in your neighborhood and community. These are the people who seem to know everyone and are always happy to share their lives with others.
WHAT TO PRAY FOR:
• That God would open doors to help you meet your neighbors and those who live nearby and deepen relationships with previous acquaintances.
• Opportunities to build relationships and become friends with people God has placed in your everyday life.
• Opportunities to practically and tangibly love people right where they are (e.g., helping to meet a need).
• Opportunities to practically and tangibly love people right where they are
• That Jesus would reveal Himself to the people you’re praying for and become real to them. That you would feel a greater burden than you ever have before for those who have not experienced the love and grace of Jesus.
FAQ
• I don’t live in a neighborhood. How can I participate? Take a drive through your area and pray for those living near you. Drop a handwritten note to folks who live nearby with words of encouragement.
• I don’t know my neighbor’s names. Bake some cookies and “give a gift” to those nearby, and introduce yourself. A great online tool is pray4everyhome.org. You can get the names of the folks who live near you—knowing that is half the battle!
• Opportunities to practically and tangibly love people right where they are (e.g., helping to meet a need).
• I’m really nervous about this. Ask God to help! The most effective prayer is to ask God to help you meet your neighbors. But be careful, as that prayer really works fast!
• For more information on what prayerwalking looks like for you or how to get started, contact your Community Pastor by visiting the community engagement page