Dear Rose Park,
Paul pens these words in his first letter to the Thessalonians: “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1. Thessalonians 5: 16-18). Even in a world filled with wildfires, hurricanes, shootings, and viruses there must be a way that Christians can still rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.
One way to do that is by participating in a prayer-walk. Maybe you’ve done this or maybe you haven’t, but either way it’s quite simple. Just as it sounds, a prayer-walk is an opportunity for people to go for a walk and pray. Perhaps you walk to a certain place and pray for that place and the people inside it or perhaps you’re just walking and praying to God for all things that come to mind. A prayer-walk is a simple way to not only get outside the rhythm of just praying before meals or bedtime, but it also encourages you to pray for people, places, and things that might not naturally come to mind.
This is all to say, I encourage you sometime between now and Sunday morning to go for a prayer-walk. Go by yourself, take your dog, drag your spouse off the couch, or even pile the kids into the stroller. Walk around your block, walk downtown or through Riley Trails. Walk by the water or in a new neighborhood. Walk for five minutes or forty-five minutes. If you’re unable to get out and walk, then maybe go for a drive or even simply find a different place in your home than your normal spot. However you want to embody this time of prayer is fine, just do it. Open your heart and mind to working of the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’re sensing you need to pray for a friend, then walk through their neighborhood and pray for them. Maybe you’re sensing you need to pray for the church, then walk up and down Rose Park Drive and pray for us. Maybe you’re sensing you need to pray for local businesses, our schools, our first-responders, or even our shut-ins, then surround them with the love of Christ through prayer.
The only thing I’ll ask of you is this: tell someone about your experience afterward. Tell a friend, your neighbor, your elder or deacon, or even your pastor. Share the story of how God is working through prayer. As you share your experience, perhaps these two questions can provide a framework for you: what was God saying to you through this time of prayer? And what are you going to do in response to God’s call?
If there was ever a time our community, our nation, and our world needed to be covered in prayer, that time is now. I can’t wait to hear your stories and I can’t wait to see what God will continue to do through His church.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark