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Fresh Ideas

 

Ten Thousand Steps. Ten Thousand Prayers.

 

by Diana Davis

 

“Pray constantly.” I Thessalonians 5:17

 

 

My friend wears a pedometer to count the number of steps he takes. His healthy goal is to take ten thousand steps daily.

Let’s suppose that each of us wears a pedometer and makes a goal to pray for people in our life’s path. We pray silently for neighbors as we pass their house, for associates as we go by their work station and for players at the ball game. God’s Word instructs us to “pray constantly,” so we pray as we go wherever our ten thousand steps take us.

A church-wide prayer walk is a simple, effective way to inspire members to pray. It can be an hour, day-long or ongoing event. The prayer walk could launch a church plant, revival, or new church ministry. It could target a subdivision or campus. Your city streets will be filled with church members—some strolling, some jogging, some with a walker or wheelchair or baby stroller—praying as they go, talking to God about people who need to know Him. Need a few starter ideas for planning a church-wide prayer walk?

 “Circle the City” Prayer Walk.  On a large city map, make a circle of 1” stick-on paper dots spaced around the parameter of the town (or a one-mile radius of your church.) Members sign a dot to commit to prayer walk from that dot clockwise to the next dot on the circle, surrounding your city in prayer. 

 “My Zone” Prayer Walk.  Each member selects a specific area to prayer walk, such as their street, neighborhood, apartment complex or office building. My son’s church charts prayer walk assignments online or you can simply use a highlighter and a map.

 “To the Heart of Our Town” Prayer Walk. On a large master map, members put a stick-on dot where they plan to begin their prayer walk toward the church. Directionally-challenged walkers can use a GPS. Some walk a block; others walk miles, but all paths lead to the church building where prayer walkers will rally for snacks and celebration.

Permanent Prayer Walk Path. A North Dakota church built a lovely prayer walkway around their church’s acres. Members walk and pray for church ministry and outreach.  

A church-wide prayer walk can open members’ eyes to ministry and witnessing opportunities around them. Read Sprinkle’s Follow Me, ibsaprayer.blogspot.com and nppn.org for prayer-walking instructions, and make a plan to fit your church.     

Ten thousand steps. Ten thousand prayers. It’s hard to fathom the potential impact! Maybe it’s time to go get your pedometer.

 

This Fresh Idea was posted on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 | Ideas For Churches, Indiana Baptists, Ministers Wives, Missions, Recent Articles, Women's Ministry.