Does the Bible say anything about prayer walking?

Restoration Kingdom Living Christian Life

TL;DR:

The Bible doesn’t specifically mention prayer walking, but it commands believers to pray continually. Walking while praying is simply one way to live out a lifestyle of constant communication with God.

what does the bible say?

Some people may point to Joshua 6 as an example of a community doing a prayer walk in the modern understanding of the term, but this is a misunderstanding and misapplication of Scripture. In that passage, God commanded the Israelites to walk around the city of Jericho seven times to conquer it. However, it does not specifically say that the people prayed, and more crucially, the passage is clearly a descriptive passage rather than prescriptive—so we should read it in its biblical, historical context but not directly apply it to modern society.

Even so, believers certainly can do prayer walks and be heard by God while doing so. Believers have a relationship with Jesus, so He is with us everywhere and at every place we go to (John 15:7). Moreover, we should be in continual prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and this can include praying while walking to work, making an outside area our “secret place” to walk in while we communicate with God, praying with a group of believers on a community prayer walk, and so on. What matters is that we pray.

from the old testament

In the book of Joshua, God instructed the people of Israel to circle the city of Jericho once every day for six days blowing trumpets. On the seventh day, they walked around the city seven times, yelled, and the city collapsed (Joshua 6). Some point to this as an example of a prayer walk, but the text doesn’t indicate that the people were instructed to pray while they walked. This passage is descriptive, not prescriptive.
Marveling at the all-knowing, all-seeing God, David rhetorically asks, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 193:7). God is with us no matter where we are, so He always hears us whenever and wherever we pray.

from the new testament

Jesus confirmed this when He told His disciples, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). God is everywhere at all times, and we have access to Him through Jesus Christ. Prayer is effective because of God's work, not ours.
The Bible does not mention prayer walking, but God does instruct us to pray at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17), which would also include while we are walking. In other words, God’s children should be people of prayer. If prayer walking prompts us to pray, all the better.

implications for today

Prayer walking is just that: praying while walking. Often, those who prayer walk pick a location and go there to walk and pray on purpose—to pray for the people there, a special event, or for God to bless the area. Other people walk and pray alone regularly, combining exercise with interceding for their neighbors. Certain groups or churches will also organize a prayer walk or a series of prayer walks in a community or several communities at a time. No matter how we engage in prayer walking, it aligns with the Bible, which exhorts believers to pray “at all times” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Doing so can take many forms—-e.g., praying on our knees in a secret place, praying in small groups, praying outside while we walk, or other methods. Regardless of the setting or occasion for prayer walks, they are certainly a good practice, both physically and spiritually.

understand

Prayer walks are not mentioned in the Bible.
Scripture tells believers to pray at all times, and prayer walks help with that.
God is omniscient and can hear our prayers regardless of when or where we pray.

reflect

How do you incorporate prayer into your daily routines, and could prayer walking be a meaningful addition?
How can prayer walking be incorporated in your spiritual disciplines?
How does being physically active while praying affect your awareness of God’s presence and your spiritual focus?

engage

How can prayer walking strengthen personal faith?
What are some elements that can be included and cultivated in prayer walking
How can prayer walking help us focus on God and His will differently than other forms of prayer?

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