What is a "Prayer Walk"?
Essentially, a Prayer Walk (PW) is a time of prayer where you, or a group of friends, take time to pray for a specific area as you walk around. What makes a PW different from your daily prayer expression, is that as you walk, you are very aware of the surrounding environment that you pass by while walking. You will usually see different people, cultural expressions, buildings that serve specific purposes such as class rooms or dorms, and landmarks that will help give you ideas as to what to pray for. As you are walking, you remain in a state of prayer, either silently or quietly, making your way around the area you are asking the Lord to move mightily through.
Here are some suggested areas where you can take a prayer walk: city blocks, campuses, neighborhoods, sporting fields, parks, and retail spaces.
How To Prayer Walk as and Individual, or as a Small Group
When walking by yourself have a goal in mind, or something specific that you are wanting to pray for. In the case of a college university this might be something along the lines of favor with the administration, new points of contact with new incoming students during the fall, the increase of righteousness and boldness for Christian students as they share their faith with the lost, and of course for people on the campus to have spiritual conversations that lead to salvation in their hearts.
Some people like to map out a course they will walk for that day, while others enjoy not knowing where they will end up. Either way is perfect as long as you remain focused in prayer, while spending time with the Holy Spirit giving your request, and listening to His response. Listening is a big part of a prayer walk and I encourage people to expect the Lord to speak to them along the way.
Feel free to stop a different places during the walk for a few minutes as you are prompted by the Lord, or if you feel especially connected to that area. For example, If you are walking by a dorm room where you once lived, pause and lift up those students remembering the emotions and moments you had there while living in that building.
Don't rush the PW and make sure that you have the time to really invest in the moment. The goal is to take spiritual authority (Matt. 28:18-20, Eph. 6:13-18) over the area you are walking through, not to speak with people along the way or to finish faster than everyone else.
If you are walking with a small group of people, the method is the same as before, with one suggested difference... when you feel led to stop along the way, allow a person in the group, even if they are not yet comfortable praying out loud, to lead a time of prayer for that stop. It's beautiful getting to hear the heart of each person as they pray through their own spiritual walk for that moment.
Is there a better time to take a Prayer Walk?
You can embark on a PW at any time of the day, but if possible consider taking your prayer walk early in the morning. There's something about starting out your day walking the land and spending time with the Holy Spirit asking Jesus to move in a big way over your friends and future Christians. This will also help set the tone for your day as you spend time with the Lord.
Quick Outline of a Prayer Walk:
1. Know where you are starting, and where you will finish. The pathway is up to you.
2. Have a specific prayer goal in mind for the walk
3. Consider asking a friend to walk with you
4. Be ready to listen and tell someone what the Holy Spirit will speak to you
5. Remind yourself of the task at hand and do you best to not talk with others along the way.
6. Turn off your cell phone so that you won't be distracted as you walk and pray. If you are using your phone for music, do your best to silence all notifications.
Scripture to read before a Prayer Walk:
Joshua 1: 1-9
1 After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
1 John 5: 13-15
13Â I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14Â And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15Â And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
1 Corinthians 15: 57-58
57Â But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Â So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.