In the Bible, we read how Jesus regularly went hiking or climbed a mountain to pray. We too may pray for and in the area where we want to see more of God's Kingdom. Walking around your neighbourhood, town or village prayerfully can give your prayers extra inspiration and direction. Besides, fresh air and a bit of exercise keep you on your toes.
A few tips so you can get started
Form a group of two people with whom you will walk.
Before you walk: pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Stop and focus occasionally at certain spots: What do you see? What do you experience? What can you pray for? This helps to go a little deeper into a particular subject.
Don't know what to say? Then think about what you wish for the residents of the houses you walk past. Ask God to bless them with it.
Maybe there are certain Bible verses to think about that you want to pray out over your neighbourhood. Repeating short phrases while walking can also be nice, such as: 'Lord have mercy', parts from the Lord's Prayer such as 'Let thy kingdom come' or, for example, 'Send forth thy light and thy truth' (Psalm 43).
Pray briefly and concisely. Pray positively: FOR things, not AGAINST things. Try to pray blessings.
Be friendly and smile at the people you meet along the way. Remember that God is working in every person you see. If a conversation develops, feel free to explain to them what you are doing and offer to pray for them.
Pray with your eyes open: the things you see inspire your prayer. And it helps not to bump into people or buildings. Would you rather not do this? Then you can pause for a moment as you say a prayer.
Also, you usually talk out loud, just as if you were in conversation while walking down the street together. Do you feel too uncomfortable with this? Then agree with your prayer partner to pray in silence as you walk.
It is an adventure: be flexible and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Worship God: silently or aloud. This helps keep your focus on Him.
Close together in prayer and share your experiences.
Keep praying
After your prayer walk, keep praying especially for your neighbourhood, city or village. Maybe you can schedule some prayer walks in your diary in the coming months?
As you continue to pray, ask God to continue to bless your neighbourhood, town or city: that His kingdom come and His will be done. If you get the sense that God is bringing specific needs or challenges back to you, think about what He is doing about this. How can you and your church practically be part of God's solution, and how can you continue to pray for this?
Sources
24-7prayer.co.uk/material/prayerwalk/
www.biddeniseenweg.nl
www.weekvangebed.nl/meedoen/organiseren/activiteiten/gebedswandeling