Interesting Question
Last week during our Strategy Coordinator Church Training, I was asked a question that was both new to me and caught me somewhat offguard. The question was basically, "Why do we believe that Prayer Walking is a valid missions activity or strategy since we have no biblical evidence to support such a practice?" Others privately mentioned to me that they had heard of conversations in the states that believe it is not appropriate for volunteers or missionaries to be part of this application of a prayer strategy. Before I chime in, I would be very curious to hear what you think and how you would have responded to the question.
On a completely different issue, I want to go ahead and begin to warn you that I am working on moving this blog to a different site. I hope to have the new site completed soon.
posted by Ken Sorrell @ 9:15 PM
11 comments
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11 Comments:
I guess the issue is PRAYERWALKING (no Biblical support except the often inappropriate example of Jericho!), and not PRAYER (plenty of Biblical evidence).
God invites us to pray... He wants us to pray, and He in His will, acts in response to our prayers.
Why not "Pray on site with insite"? As is an often quoted prayerwalking sound bite? We know when volunteers come and pray they often leave changed, committed to on-going prayer for that people, and when they pray they/we are filled with mental images of the people, the place, the smells, the needs. So I don't think there is any Biblical evidence AGAINST prayerwalking.
But often I have heard, "Are we ONLY going to prayerwalk?" And I have responded, 'We will do other things, but prayer is a worthy goal in itself'. Now in India we enjoy to add to any prayer walking to pray with people. Not many South Asians will turn down prayer for them or their family to any God. So it is a great door-opener to introduce we believe in Jesus. When God answers the prayers of the believers they often realize our God has power and is real -- unlike we have often heard, 'I prayed to our gods for many years and nothing ever happened'.
I do understand people when they are not quite sure what to think about "spiritual strongholds" and "praying against them", as that sounds a bit too charismatic for us Baptists and also no clear Biblical guidance. So let's pray, and let's do what the Lord asks us to do in response! Rarely does sincere prayer end in prayer, but ends in action!
The last volunteer team that was here the order of the day was:
1) prayerwalk,
2) evangelistic visits to houses of known unsaved individuals
3) visits to unknown unsaved
The result? A new outreach group was formed. This past Sunday 7 of the new believers gathered for the first discipleship meeting.
I would simply add to the prayerwalking that the team coming be in specific prayer for the HS to move in the lives of those He is preparing. This is prayer before they even arrive on the field.
So yes, prayerwalking is a valid missions activity.
Ken,
I believe there is no biblical warrant to say God hears our prayers any more on a "prayer walk" than in our "prayer closet." But for some reason, it seems like we are able to hear God better (SEEMS LIKE) when we are observing with our physical eyes what we are praying about and seeing with our spiritual eyes.
And I cannot explain exactly why, but we have experiences some pretty incredibly specific answers to prayers that were prayed in the context of various prayer-walks and prayer-walking teams with which we have been involved. I mean really incredible stuff. I'll probably have to save that for a whole post sometime.
Also, we have had prayer-walk teams from the States go to various towns and meet the pastors and believers there, listen to their testimonies and prayer requests, and then pray together (many times while I translated back and forth) with them. The encouragement this offered to the local believers, as well as the inspiration and encouragement to pray offered to the prayer-walkers, was invaluable.
ken, i haven't heard anyone in the states suggest that prayer walking is not a viable missionary activity. i've read my share of church planting books and virtually everyone of them discusses the role of prayer walking as a means of understanding the community, discerning spiritual strongholds, discerning needs and cultivating a heart for the community.
looking forward to the new blogsite! woot!
I agree with David's point on this. And Neill, I have heard that same quote, "Is that all we are doing?" We just send those folks to Mexico to do construction:)I just returned from Asia and a good portion of my time there was spent "Prayer Walking." On one university campus we had many doors opened. The evidence is there for the act of prayer whether on your feet or on your knees.
Viva Taco Bob's!
To all,
Your points are well taken. I agree that the fear of "praying down the walls of Jerico" or "naming it and claiming it" being associated with prayer walking. I have also seen God work in the lives of nationals, missionaries, and volunteers through prayer walks. We even have a dramatic story of where through just prayer walk teams, a church that was persecuted and burned to the ground was brought back to life. In fact, one of the men who lit the match was brought to Christ through one of the prayer walk teams.
I also agree that "prayer walking" is not seen in Scripture as we practice it today. But neither is Scripture distribution, radio broadcasts, and revivial meetings. But we have practiced and continue to practice these.
I hope the rumors I have heard are not significant, but at the moment they are at the very least disturbing.
I find it interesting that the question comes from someone on the field and am hoping that it was more of an "enlighten me" than a "I won't do it."
I actually find the question nitpicky and trite. We know that prayer is vital. We use various methods and activities that are not explicitly evident in the Bible, but that further the spread of the gospel. (Scripture distribution--is that, then, an invalid missions activity since the disciples didn't hand out papyrus or whatever?)
I think I would have responded simply saying, "We know that prayer is vital to any CPM. We have evidence that prayer in specific areas has broken down strongholds and has primed the area for a CPM." Wow! How did you respond???
Ok, Ken, please forgive me for not reading the paragraph above where you mentioned Scripture distribution. OOPS. What a teachable moment for me!!!
Ken,
I think you make a good point... radio, scripture distribution, etc. are not in the Bible. Prayerwalking is a methodology. However, I have used the Acts 16 passage where Paul and his companions were on the way to a place of prayer and encountered the group of women by the river. There they found Lydia (person of peace) and you know the rest of the story...
Good point.
When I truly allowed Christ to govern my life in college, I began praying all the time--as I walked to my classes I'd see lost friends. As I sat in my English major classes I'd pray for incredibly lost professors. I thanked God for the beautiful campus...and on and on. "Prayerwalking" came as a natural expression of my gratitude to Christ and my desire to see others come to know Him. Scripture reminds us to pray without ceasing, so I cannot understand why Prayerwalking would be frowned upon when we are entering areas of spiritual darkness that desperately need Christ's light.
I don't get this either if there is negativity to this practice. Prayer is prayer, whether your standing, sitting, riding, or walking. There is no magic here. I do believe David has hit on a point that I had not thought of and that is maybe the prayer walkers hear God more clearly on prayer walk teams than at any other time. Thanks for all the comments.
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