Prayer Walking
It is simply praying while walking.
Discussion: How many of us engage in prayer walking? Why do we do it? What are the benefits?
Biblical basis
Luke 13:22 (NIV) Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
John 4:6 (NIV) Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.
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The Bible tells us that Jesus took long journeys during the time of His ministry. It would be foolish to imagine that he didn’t make use of all these times to pray even while He was on the way.
Benefits of prayer walking
1. It makes good use of our time
Ephesians 5:15‑16 (NIV) Be very careful, then, how you live‑‑not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
2. It enlarges our vision
Prayer can become routine as we continue to pray for the same things day after day. Prayer walking adds variety to our prayer life because our prayer becomes different when we see different things during our walk. For example, walking past our Parliament Building can remind us to pray for our leaders. Walking past a church (not necessarily our own) can remind us to pray for the pastors or members there.
It is important to listen to God during our prayer walk. Combine prayer with times of silence and ask for what He wants us to pray for a particular location. The answer could be as specific as praying for the person who is crossing that road, etc.
3. It invades Satan’s territory
During prayer walking, we can claim territories for Jesus. Walk through an HDB estate and prayer specifically for each block. Pray that God will bind any demonic activity in that block and that the Holy Spirit may be working in that block to bring people to salvation.
Physical acts in prayer can have influences in the spiritual realm.
Twice in the Bible, God teaches that physically walking through a territory is an act of claiming it in faith.
Genesis 13:17 (NIV) Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.
Joshua 1:3 (NIV) I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
When we walk through a neighbourhood and tell God that we are claiming it for Him, we are actually asking Him to exert His power and influence here and triumphed over the evil forces.
Notice that God sometimes require these physical acts as necessary in the fulfilment of His plan.
Ezekiel 6:11 (NIV) This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Strike your hands together and stamp your feet and cry out “Alas!” because of all the wicked and detestable practices of the house of Israel, for they will fall by the sword, famine and plague.
2 Kings 13:14‑19 (NIV) Now Elisha was suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him. “My father! My father!” he cried. “The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” 15 Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. 16 “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 17 “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.” 18 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. 19 The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
These physical acts, which may seem foolish to us, may very well be seen by God as an act of faith that He will honour my intervening in the situation.
The demon worshippers also practise claiming of land – the dragon dance.
4. It enhances our worship
Psalms 19:1 (KJV) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
We can praise God for His creation in the comfort of our house, but how much more meaningful it can be if we walk through nature and see for ourselves the splendour of His work and praise Him for it.
Discussion: Are there any times during our journey which we can use to pray?