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Prayerwalking
Prayerwalking is a practice of intercessory prayer
combined with walking through a neighborhood or other area patterned
after scriptural examples, such as Enoch and Noah, who “walked with
God.” It is a way to move the church out of its buildings and
prayer closets to intercede in the world. The prayer may be either
silent or aloud for neighbors, around schools, and other places
where
you sense God’s leading you to pray.
Types of Prayerwalking
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Devotional—our personal prayerwalk with
God.
Incidental—walk with God through the
responsibilities and activities of our day, listening for his
prompting us to intercede for others around us.
Intentional—strategic planned and
organized times of on-site intercession as God directs, such as
an evening prayerwalk through your neighborhood or leading a
prayer team overseas.
Preparing to walk
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Recognize that
God is calling you to join Him in prayer in the world.
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Stay prepared
to walk with Him by confession any hidden sin.
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Read and
meditate on God’s Word to frame your prayers in perfect
accordance with His will.
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Invite the Holy
Spirit to fill you and guide you daily.
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Be ready to
obey Him whether He leads you to another neighborhood or another
country.
Stepping out
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Keep your eyes
and ears open. Be alert and respond in prayer.
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Listen, then
speak. Feel free to pray silently and aloud. Praise Him and
worship as you walk.
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Find a partner
or two, or organize a group, for intentional prayerwalks. In
incidental prayerwalking, expect to normally pray alone.
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Move slowly so
that God may move fully in and through you.
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Claim God’s
promises. Bless the people around you. Ask of God His greatest
desires for them.
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Anticipate the
devil’s interference. Resist him, firm in your faith, and
continue moving forward under God’s protection.
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Expect God to
answer your prayers. Be ready to share a word of greeting and
encouragement to those you meet, as well as a witness to the
hope that is within you.
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Tell people
that you are praying for them and their neighborhood. Ask if
there is any need that you could bring to God for them. Pray
right then with them.
[excerpts from International Mission Board
brochure;
http://imb.org/compassionnet]
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