“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b)
Our prayers are significant and we therefore need to be intentional in how we pray.
Some practical suggestions:
1. Prayer Walk your neighbourhood
2. Pray for your neighbours by name
3. If appropriate, ask your neighbours how you can pray for them
If you’ve never prayer walked before, use this simple acronym to help guide you.
W – Worship
As you set off walking begin with your eyes on Jesus. Say the name of Jesus; recite a Psalm; hum a worship song; speak quietly in tongues – basically anything that helps declare the Lordship of Jesus over the streets you walk on.
A – Ask
Flowing from your worship begin petitioning God for His Spirit to fall on the streets you walk on, the homes, businesses, schools and other churches you walk past. Begin to get specific and pray for people and situations, the ‘people of peace’ you know God has brought you into contact with, who are opening up doors of opportunity for the gospel within your community.
L – Listen
As you worship and pray, leave space to listen to what God might want to say to you - then pray that back. Often God may give you promises from scripture or prophetic words and pictures; listen for promises and literally walk these promises all over your community. If you are prayer-walking in twos, listen to one another’s prayers and you will find yourself sparking off one another’s words and thoughts.
K - Know your Land
Get (and keep) yourself informed around the area you are prayer-walking; research some of its history; some of its ongoing problems; so you can pray for breakthrough. Get to know some of the current situations that require persevering prayer and also celebrate the particular graces that rest on the area, asking God to make your area a blessing beyond its borders.
LOOK
SERVE