Every Place You Set Your Foot: Interview with a Prayer-Walker

I’m very excited to share the following interview with you. I’m not able to share her real name with you, so as not to jeopardize her work, so for today, we’ll call her Sheila.  

Me: Can you give us a short biography of your spiritual journey?

Sheila: I came from a traditional church background, joined a missions group and saw all the work that needed to be done in the world to help people. So I wasn’t overwhelmed by that, the Lord showed me the importance of prayer and how keeping connected with Him can keep me connected with the needed hope. 

Me: When did you begin prayer walking and where all have you been?

Sheila: In 1987, I was privileged to go to Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union with an outreach team. This was during the Cold War, and we were specifically asked to not be too vocal in our evangelism. Places we went were very, very tense; the whole climate of the area was hard, suspicious, cold. I am sure we were suspect.

There was so much to take in—the new sights, food, and peoples; Top that off with the sense of great restriction. I remember going to a dock on the coast of former Yugoslavia and just having the prayers tumble out, loads of them. I understood at that point, that while traditional evangelism wasn't the best plan for this trip, there was a release of power that I could participate in—inviting, asking, requesting the Lord to move on behalf of these nations.  There was energy in that, hope in that, and, once prayed out, peace in that. The Lord was at work, and He is trustworthy. Prayer walking welcomes the Lord to come and work. 

Since then I have been all over the world—to different nations, different events. 

Me: Why is it more powerful to actually walk/stand/touch the places and people you are praying for? What are the spiritual implications?

Sheila: The power isn't in the walking/standing/touch—we know the power is in the Lord. So any power is in obeying Him. The thing with doing prayer walks—it puts me in a place where I can SEE what things are like. And I have a choice to become a part of the area/arena. Christ came to earth, He became like us; He knows what we go through. 

For me, I can only see things from my Pacific Northwest perspective and how I grew up. If I take a few steps outside of my own zone, I can begin to relate to others, see their situations...Prayer gives the Lord a way to change us, enlarge our own hearts. So, the first thing prayer walking has done, is to change me. It has helped me better understand the Lord's concerns with the area I am walking in/praying for. 

The second thing is the “with-ness” of God. Immanuel, God with us. The intention of the Lord is to be with people. If we are somewhere—with an open heart to prayer—might He not ask us to connect with those we are walking by? Perhaps greet them kindly? Perhaps help them with their groceries, pick them up off the street?   To prayer walk is to be with God—being with us.

Third thought—the growing ownership. Participating in my world. Taking a posture of responsibility. The Lord may give someone a sort of assignment to lift up. Perhaps the law enforcement, or the courts, or movie theaters or businesses…While I do not own any of the property, I am a citizen. This is my community. And, if I am somewhere I don't live, I reside in the fact that I am human; I am able to come to the Lord on behalf of other humans.  I become rightly jealous for the good of people in the community, for their well-being. I want to stand before the Lord, asking for His will to be done on earth, in this community, on this street—as it is in heaven. We know that with Him, there is life. We want this Life/Light to be in the community. To welcome God, to invite Him. To love the people.

Fourth thought, and so very important—I cannot pray effectively for something I do not love. I cannot walk along and judge. Christ didn't spend His time on earth like that, although He sure could have. He was among us. Do I love the neighborhood I am walking around? Do I love the little things, the good things?

I have a favorite coffee shop and years ago, I was there daily. I began to know the regulars (overheard their conversations). Their stories would unfold over time as they chatted among themselves. If I was there only one time and overheard their laughter at a joke/topic, I might have come to offense and be tempted to judge. But—due to the day after day coffee visits, I have come to love these guys, and the prayers flow easily for them. 

The spiritual implications: as my heart aligns with God’s view of my neighborhood, as I see their situation, my heart changes, Faith rises. Increased faith. Faith pleases the Lord.

Commitment. Faithfulness. Carrying out an assignment of sorts—walking and walking again, and walking again—this faithfulness fills out the prayers. You’re still there, you are still asking, you are still believing. That makes a difference to the Lord, and it hassles the enemy. 

There are so many other layers of things I could talk about here.

Me: What has been your biggest victory?

Sheila: There are a few. One simple one is that I was able to serve as a volunteer in security for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. My post was at the hotel in which the Olympic Committee stayed. Our team was actually posted all over the different venues. One of our personal tasks was to keep things in prayer. 

Perhaps you remember; there was a bomb in Centennial Park…This was a bigger story—but I do believe that the hundreds of prayers all around the venues were a part of the Lord's watching over this event. Security stepped up all around (it was already high)—and people were worried. But at the doors I was working, there was peace amongst the other officers...they felt something. Knew something was up. 

To me, that we could do our job and be a place of peace for the people to enter the hotel—in the midst of scary times—that was super cool. I believe the Lord was there, with us.

Me: When have you been the most discouraged?

Sheila: That is hard. Hmm...Probably the cases in which I am standing for an opening to something good, and the Lord makes a way, but the people don't choose that...And the good closes up again. That is hard. But He has to deal with it every day, right? So I try to be like Him and keep His heart.

Sheila’s closing comments: It is very exciting to hear about the work you are doing with your church and community. So practical. So real. May the Lord inspire many to believe in His activity and participate in what He wants to accomplish there.

Beginning Sunday, October 1, I will be posting a daily word of encouragement from the book of Joshua on claiming our communities for Christ. Until then, let these powerful words from Sheila penetrate your mind and heart. Let us be people who choose to walk in the ways the Lord opens before us.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

#interviewwithaprayerwalker #prayerwalking #spiritualwarfare #claimingterritory #whenGodopensadoor #tobewithGodbeingwithus #prayingeffectively #lovewhoyouprayfor

Every Place You Set Your Foot: Prayer Walking

Did you know that if you’re a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you can speak with authority against evil spirits in His name, and pray for God’s will to be done in a specific territory? As we approach the Halloween season when the world glorifies witchcraft, the occult, and images of death, there are better things for us to do besides close the curtains and turn off the lights.* As children excitedly plan this year’s costume, parents buy candy and decorations, and people of all ages feed on thrillers and scary stories, we need to hit the streets and claim our communities for Christ.

Throughout the Bible, God’s people laid hands on others to pray—for healing, release from demonic influence, and to receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself laid hands on many when He performed miracles. There’s something about touch we need as humans. It communicates love, power, relationship, and so much more.

We can also touch the land where the people we’re praying for live, to release God’s presence in powerful ways—by prayer walking. God told Joshua before he led the Israelites into the Promised Land, “I will give you every place where you set your foot” (Joshua 1:3, NIV). They couldn’t claim the land as their own from the other side of the Jordan River—they had to walk the ground and possess it. We must do the same.

Have you ever prayer walked your neighborhood? Prayer walking is a foreign concept to many believers, even those who grew up in church. Many feel intimidated—afraid they won’t do it right. It seems weird and uncomfortable—they’re afraid of attracting a lot of attention.  But in reality, prayer walking is just going for a walk (preferably with a friend) and talking to God. Speak in a normal conversational tone and pause to greet people as you pass by. Just as Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, prayer walking is more fun with a buddy—it keeps your mind from wandering and the prayers flowing.

As you walk:

• pray for those who live in the houses you pass
• the teachers, staff, and students in schools
• for God’s Spirit to be poured out in churches on your route
• for honesty and success in businesses
•  safe travel and an awareness of our loving Creator on highways and parks

Sing praise songs, quote scripture, and pray for everything that comes to mind. You’ll be amazed how fast the time goes.

Today I’d like to introduce a series I’m very excited about. I plan to post a new blog every day during the month of October from the book of Joshua, about claiming our land for Christ. I hope you’ll read each one and venture out to claim your “land” with prayer and praise. Watch what God does. It will be amazing!

And to get you even more revved up for this journey, next week I plan to post an interview with an acquaintance of mine in full time in ministry. She has prayer walked all over the world and has incredible things to share. You will be inspired by her story and even more convinced of the power of putting feet to your faith.

*If you’d like to learn more about Halloween and some possible alternatives for Christians, my book Taking Back October is a terrific resource! Available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Back-October-Believers-Pursuit/dp/1502516292/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505868831&sr=8-1&keywords=taking+back+October

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

#prayerwalking #spiritualwarfare #claimingterritory #halloween #AllSaintsDay #Josh1:3  #Rom12:21

Small Things

Our days are full of small, seemingly insignificant moments. Who would guess that a simple smile could make a significant difference in another person’s life? Or that a word of encouragement, a bit of advice, or sharing a story could be important to them? And yet, these things can be the springboard for change or the spark of hope someone else has been waiting for. It’s the small things that are remembered for a lifetime.
 

For instance, the memories I treasure most about my Grandma are not things she planned and labored over—games of Bingo and Pig Rummy, trooping into the backyard with a milk carton of fruit and vegetable peelings “to feed the soil” of her flower beds. We scoured the carpet for balls of lint and walked around the block, stopping to admire the neighbor’s Wisteria draping the front porch of his stone house. In these moments, I felt important and loved.

My husband and I have been to some incredible places since we’ve been married, but the memories I cherish the most are the small moments. Dancing on our deck or in the living room at the end of a movie to a romantic song as the credits roll. I cherish our hikes in the lush green forests of the Northwest, pungent with evergreens, moss, and fern. Impromptu drives and conversations, tender touches from my lover, and comforting hugs at the end of a hard day. These small things make up the big love we share.

 The best moments of motherhood, friendship, becoming a stepmom and mother in law, and now a grandmother, are mostly small treasures I’ve tucked away. The first time my babies hugged me back, the look of trust in a child’s eyes, the first time one of my son in laws called me Mom, little notes of appreciation for no reason at all.

How many examples from your own life have flooded your mind since you started reading this? Our lives are rich with small things that we treasure over the years. Words of encouragement from a teacher or coach that changed the way you felt about yourself, maybe even the path you were on. A touch, a gift, a look that said, “You’re ok in my book.”

Would we ever despise those things? I don’t think so. We might forget them for a while, or tell ourselves they weren’t’ that big of a deal, but we would still appreciate that they happened. And smile when we think of them. Yet we often despise the small things God sends our way.

We count them as insignificant, express our disappointment to God that He’s not doing His job, or letting us do it for Him in a manner consistent with our expectations. I am especially guilty of this.

So when I read of Zechariah’s vision and the angel asks, “Who dares despise the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10, NIV) I feel pretty convicted. I’m certainly not going to raise my hand. I begin to see His point. God is always at work, but it’s not always spectacular and miraculous. Most often it’s small and accumulative.

 

 How dare I despise what God is doing—in my life, my work, our church and community, in the lives of the people I’m praying for. What I can see from my perspective may seem too small to count, but sometimes, the small things are the most important ones of all.

#smallthings #greatexpectations #whatmeansthemosttoyou #marriageandfamily #waitingforamiracle #Zech4:10 #lotsofsmallmakesbig