Grace Community Church
Prayer Walk Participant's Guide
Work to see that the city (neighborhood) where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the Lord for it. For as it prospers you will prosper. (Jer. 29:7)
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Greensboro):
“May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity. (Psalm 122:6-9)
Ask God to help you see the places and people through His eyes
· God, how do you see this neighborhood?
· What is Your heart for the people who live here?
· How would You like to bless this neighborhood?
· What would You like me to know / notice about this place?
Listen quietly to the Holy Spirit and observe as you walk (using your physical senses)
· What do you notice as you look around?
· What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you smell?
· Look for signs, posters, graffiti, carvings, statues, buildings, etc. that give you ideas of things for which to pray.
· What does the Spirit prompt in your spirit about this place and the people?
· How would this place change if God’s Kingdom was more fully present?
· Ask Jesus for any words, thoughts, or pictures.
Response - Pray and bless
Here are some ways you might pray in response as you walk, listen and observe:
· Intercession – ask God for specific things on behalf of the neighborhood / people
· Spiritual warfare – ask God to remove the presence / impact of evil
· Declare God’s truth, promises or healing over the neighborhood / people
· Speak blessing in the authority of Jesus:
o Bless their bodies – health, protection, strength
o Bless their labor – work, reward, financial provision
o Bless their emotions – joy, peace, hope, kindness, gentleness, self-control
o Bless them socially – love, marriage, family, friends
o Bless them spiritually – salvation, revelation, faith, grace
· The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26)
· Look for opportunities to talk with and pray for people as you walk, explaining, “We are out praying for this community. May we pray for you?”
Some ideas and examples for how to pray:
General blessings:
· “Jesus, please bring Your love, healing, and hope to this area.”
· “I speak blessing over those who live on this street. Let a spirit of reconciliation and unity settle over them.”
· “May Your name be revealed, honored, and praised among the people here.”
· “I thank You, God, for who You are, and for all You’ve already done on this street. We trust You to do more than we can hope and imagine in the future.”
· “May the people in this house be free from heavy burdens and experience joy.”
· Thank God for the positive things you see: kids playing, nice gardens, clean streets, places of employment, street art, etc. Bless your route with what you don’t yet see: beauty, families walking together, order, etc.
· As you walk past a home: “Bring the people who live here into relationship with You. May each family member come to love You.”
For specific needs:
· You might see kids playing: “God, please show yourself to these children and the other young people in the area. May they grow up knowing You.”
· “Help those who are needing jobs—help them find work and good salaries to support their families.”
· “Bring safety and reduced crime in this area.”
· “I pray for any believers on this street to be strengthened and encouraged. May they be lights for You in this neighborhood.”
· You might come across a yard that is extremely untidy and rundown. “Bless this home with physical, emotional, and spiritual health.”
· If you walk near a school: “We pray for the teachers and the students, for their safety and peace, that they will all learn more about You, and for the enemy to have no success here.”
· Pray or bless in the opposite spirit. If you sense a spirit of hopelessness: “Jesus, I ask for Your hope to come to this place.” OR If you sense a spirit of poverty: “Lord, You are all-sufficient. May Your abundance be known here.”
Other:
· If there aren’t people around, you could sing worship songs. Or you could read parts of songs. One very good song to read aloud is: “I Speak Jesus” (Charity Gayle).
· Read Scripture. Someone can read it and someone else pray based on the content of that verse.
o Ephesians 5:8-10
o Matthew 11:28
o Jeremiah 29:11
o 1 Peter 5:7
o Psalm 23:1
o Galatians 6:2
o John 3:16
3 John