This week I was introduced to the spiritual practice of prayer walking. The concept seemed odd to me at first, what would I pray for as I walked down the street? How would I know what these people needed?
My team and I were dropped off, given a map to find our way to the meeting location. I started walking and found myself praying specific prayers for people I saw or buildings I passed. I didn’t know why certain words came to mind, but I was soon praying for healing, for strength, for someone to come and speak life into a person.
Although I didn’t know a single soul passing by, I felt like God was letting me see them. Actually see them. I have no way of knowing if my prayers aligned with needs in their lives. If I asked, it may have not made any sense to them. But I couldn’t help but feeling as though the Lord was asking me to pray it for a reason.
It made me think about my neighborhood at home. I often go on runs or walk my dog on the same route. Usually entertaining myself by listening to music or admiring a neighbors garden. What I have yet to do is pray for my neighbors. I know their names, their families, and possibly some of their struggles in life. I began to think about what it would look life for me to pray for them. As I go through my neighborhood, to begin praying for each house, as specifically as possible. For their needs or the desires of their hearts. And for those I do not know, to pray a blessing over their house. To pray for the young couple and their marriage, or the teenager and their future, even the older gentleman and his health.
Walking my neighborhood is 7 months in the future, but this is something I want to begin doing; on the Race and when I return home. I challenge all of you to also implement this into your life. If you go on a walk during your lunch break, pray for the person behind the food counter, pray for those working in their office as you pass by, pray for the cars by you in traffic. When you go to the grocery store pray for the family in your aisle, for the young man collecting the carts, or the tired cashier trying to make it to 8 o’clock. You may never see the fruit of your prayers, but you could be blessing others more than you can imagine.
Do good, love well, have grace.
Kenna
