On Thursday evening I met Deacon John at church for my first experience of a Prayer Walk. It was the last day of a two-week Ecumenical prayer effort.
Each church in the area was given a designated route to walk, so that by the end of the two-week period the whole of our suburb will have been covered in prayer. Before we started walking, Deacon John shared prayer themes that can be prayed as we walk up and down the roads passing houses. This would include any pedestrians that we may come across. I thought this was a great idea. How many times have I been in need of prayer,and just maybe I was prayed for by a passing Prayer Walker?
The advice at the top of the list suggested, ‘Attempt to keep every prayer pertinent to the specific community you pass through. As you do, you will find prayers naturally progress to the nation and the world.’ We then read:-
1 Timothy 2:1-10 From the Bible Gateway
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pray for All People
2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle ( I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
- 1 Timothy 2:5men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4
These are three categories of prayer I chose to prayer on the walk:
- Concerning Christ: Proclaim Him afresh to be the one mediator and the ransom for all. Name Him Lord of the neighbourhood and of the lives you see.
- Concerning Truth: Declare openly the bedrock reality that there is one God. Celebrate the faithful revelation of His Truth to all peoples through ordinary people. Pray that the eyes of minds would cease to be blinded by Satan so that they could come to a knowledge of the Truth.
- Concerning the Blessing of God: Thanksgivings are to be made on behalf of all people. Give God the explicit thanks that He deserves for the goodness He constantly bestows on the homes you pass by.
The Lord’s Prayer
I enjoyed passing houses and wondering who may be inside. Looking at the gardens I made up an image of who the gardener may be, this depended on the type of flowers in the garden as well as and the state of the garden. It got me thinking about the importance of prayer in general and how I struggle to keep up with all who do need prayer. (I’ve begun to stick with the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month as well as the parish list that is shared at the beginning of each month, and then I make a list of those closest me who need intercession. This is pretty comprehensive). Every time I walk down the street now, I will say a little prayer for one person who passes me by, or perhaps I’ll say a general prayer for pedestrians before I set off?
Yes, I will be part of the Prayer Walk again next year. It was a special time of prayer that unites all Christian churches in Christ, connecting myself and other Christians who live in close proximity with a golden thread called Prayer.
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