All over the world, God is helping Christians to pray as they walk through the streets of their communities. The idea of prayerwalking through your community is to allow your prayers to extend beyond your own concerns, focusing on the needs of others, while opening yourself to see them with God’s eyes and heart.

Prayerwalking is simply taking our prayers to the very places we desire to see God’s presence manifested.

Another way to put is: Praying on sight with God’s insight.

Prayerwalks are taken by individuals, groups and even entire churches. They can be as short as one block or as long as many miles. The idea is to use the five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—to enhance the intercessor’s (those praying) understanding of prayer needs.

The purpose of prayerwalking is not to pray publicly to draw attention to yourself or group. Rather, the purpose of prayerwalking is to pray in the city among the people in order to gain an awareness of their specific needs.

Here’s an example: While walking, you pass a husband and wife having an argument. As you pass by, you silently pray for peace, kindness, and a healthy and happy marriage.

Although you won’t find the word ‘prayerwalk’ in the Bible, walking was a major mode of transportation in biblical times, and clearly, people must have walked and prayed at the same time. When God made a covenant with Abraham, He said to him:

“Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 14:13-17 NLT (emphasis mine)

I remember the day we first moved into our home. We had waited months for it to be built and now we were going to move in! My family stood on the front porch and prayed, thanking the Lord and dedicating the house for His use. With great excitement, we walked through every room, opening closets and cupboards, examining every detail. We walked around the outside, front yard and back. At first, it seemed like a dream, but over time, we began to take possession of “our” house.

Therefore, God had Abraham walk his property. God wanted Abraham to truly take possession of his land and exert his authority over it.

Another important purpose for prayerwalking is to repossess land currently under the enemy’s control ( John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 4:4) and regain it for God’s kingdom. Remember there were other people living in the land when God told Abraham to walk through it. It would be hundreds of years before God’s promised land would be possessed by Abraham’s descendants. However, in the spirit realm, it belonged to Abraham the moment God gave it to him. It is the same for us, as Abraham’s descendants now.

The sin of Adam and Eve brought a curse on the earth, giving the devil legal grounds to exert authority over earthly realms. Jesus broke the power of the enemy by dying for our sins on the cross and leaves it to His church to enforce the power of what He did on the cross until He returns. While we wait, our job is to take back all the ground that Satan currently holds. Every place on this earth that does not have the full light of the truth of God’s glory and grace through Jesus, is there for us to claim and possess. While prayerwalking, we can boldly claim God’s kingdom to come and His will be done.

Preparation to Prayerwalk

• Pray for God’s Spirit to search your heart—Psalm 139:24-25

• Confess and forsake all known sin—1John 1:9

• Pray in repentance and faith—Mark 1:15

• Pray for discernment to pray strategically—Ephesians 1:8

• Pray for opportunities to share the hope of Christ boldly—Colossians 4:2, Acts 4:31

• Sketch a map to focus on a selected street, businesses, homes etc.

• Write out scriptures on note cards.

• Keep track with a prayer journal where you are walking and scriptures being used.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

How to Prayerwalk

• Ask God to remove barriers.

• Invite the Spirit to accompany you.

• Pray with a partner, group or alone.

• Pray Bible verses aloud quietly (unless it will be drawing undue attention).

• Watch for God to show you what He wants you to pray for.

• Pray for present-hour needs as God reveals them.

• Use short sentences, talking to God in a conversational manner.

• Walk slowly.

• Be prepared to explain what you’re doing to inquirers. “We’re praying for God’s blessing on our neighborhood. Is there anything you’d like us to pray for you?”

• Be persistent. Repeat the same areas near your work, school, or home on a regular basis. You’ll see it deepens your awareness of God’s heart.

After Your Prayerwalk

• Record in your prayer journal what took place on your prayerwalk and any answered prayers.

• Thank and praise the Lord for what He is doing in your community/city.

Some Locations to Consider for a Prayerwalk

• Your neighborhood or work

• Government buildings

• Churches or possible locations for new churches

• Schools

• Hospitals

• Business areas

• Sights of other religions, false religions, or cults

I have experienced great benefits and results from prayerwalking (and jogging). But I’d also like to mention, to believe that prayers offered in any setting, or while in any position, are somehow ‘more effective’ than those offered at another time or in another manner is NOT scriptural. Our heavenly Father, who is everywhere at all times, knows exactly what needs are presently and will respond to them in His own perfect will and timing.

Let’s rejoice in the fact that He allows us to be part of His plans through our prayers!

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