As a part of our global week, we are encouraging everyone at Incarnation from the youngest to the oldest to go out for a walk this Saturday (or another day this week). Our primary goal with prayer walking is to learn to see our neighbors from God's perspective and to ask him to bless them. So as you walk pay attention! Listen carefully. You may like to sing a worship song either silently, quietly or you could hum? Develop a dual focus - listening to God and listening to the world around us Ask God to train us as spiritual observers and people who pray blessing.
Prayer Walking Guidelines during COVID
Decide if you will wear a mask. If you will be close to other people please do so (take one in your pocket at the least so you can put it on if needed!). Make sure you observe all social distancing guidelines.
Look around with care and observe. If you go with a member of your household, feel free to talk - but also keep praying!
Look normal :) but be intentional
When you pass people say ‘hello’. If you get into conversation you could tell them that everyone in your church, Incarnation Anglican Church, is out today praying for their neighborhoods. If the opportunity arises, why not ask them how you can pray for them?
Remember to listen to God when you meet people. You could also ask, “What do you like about this neighborhood? What concerns you - especially in this season?”
Praying and Observing
Look – Pray for the gift of seeing the neighborhood through the eyes of Christ. Think about some of the issues which may be happening behind closed doors: including dysfunctional families, abuse, mental struggles, lack of access to food, medicines, touch. Perhaps you see a variety of cultures, of ethnicities, different religious or people groups? As you walk through commercial areas, are there businesses which may be struggling? Closed restaurants? Where are your neighbors feeling the economic onslaught?
Bless – Pray blessing over the situations or people you notice; pray for health and protection from the virus; pray for renewed economic vigor
Feel – Enter the life of the community and pray for its brokenness. Pray for schools and students; for medical offices and for scientists; pray for the unemployed and underemployed.
Read - Take a passage of scripture with you - perhaps Psalm 96 below? Meditate on how this passage applies to your neighbors.
Listen – Allow times of silence for God to speak.
Concluding
What did you learn about the neighborhood? What surprised you? What was hard? What was engaging?
Where was God’s presence especially apparent? Did God give you any words or bring any scripture to mind to pray over your neighbors?
Send a quick message to Liz when you are done. It will be lovely to compile any messages from our neighborhoods - even if very brief! liz@incarnationanglican.org
~Liz
Psalm 96
Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.