Tonight’s post is the final piece related to prayer walking. The first two parts are “Praying like a child” and “Praying on location“. Lace up your shoes, gather your supplies and get ready to head out! But first – what’s praying inloud?!
So let’s get really practical about prayer walking, to answer those lingering questions – what do you DO when you prayer walk? It’s simple really. You walk around a particular place, be it an office building, a neighborhood or business district, and pray for the people and situations that are there. You may sit on a bench, stand at an intersection, pause in front of each doorway. You may read aloud Scripture or pray Scripture. You pray with eyes open, seeing situations, people and locations through God’s eyes. You spend time listening and being sensitive to the nudging or whispers of the Holy Spirit. You can pray individually or cooperatively in your group. You can intercede aloud, or even inloud.
Now some of you may not be educated on the term “inloud” – it’s actually a word I made up, but I think you’ll like it. When John and I were first dating, we began praying together, which was extremely uncomfortable for me. Up until that point in my life, the only outloud praying I’d ever done, and really had ever seen, amounted to, “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. Amen.” And so as we began praying, we always decided ahead of time whether we would pray outloud or its opposite, inloud. More often than not, I chose inloud until I became more comfortable with outloud prayer. So let me encourage you – it’s ok to pray inloud as you prayer walk!
And so as you step out to prayer walk, go boldly and confidently outside your walls into your surrounding neighborhood. Bring the light that dispels darkness and brings hope to the weary and downtrodden, and reach your community, by interceding on its behalf.
As you go, you may want to go out in groups of two or three. Take a map with you if you’re unfamiliar with the area. You may want to bring a small Bible with you. Walk slowly around the area, stopping on the sidewalk to pray as you desire. Know that it’s ok if prayer walking seems uncomfortable at first – as you do it more, it will become more comfortable. Remember as you go that silence is ok – prayer needs to be a two-way communication, and if you’re spending the entire time talking, you may miss quiet nudges from the Holy Spirit.
So – grab a team, get your supplies and start your prayer walk! As you go out, go with the same blessing originally given to the people of Israel: “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.”
Here are a few suggested Scriptures you may want to pray:
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Acts 26:18
- Romans 15:13
- 2 Corinthians 10:5
- 2 Thessalonians 3:1
