Summer Prayer Walking

Thank you for accepting the invitation to be a summer prayer walker! Each week of this guide offers prayer prompts and verses you can use as you prayer walk, in addition to praying as the Spirit leads.

This week: CALL TO GOD

…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

• Call to God with praise and worship

“All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. Psalm 66:4-5 (ESV)

• Call to God in gratitude for all He has done

…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

• Call to God in desperation

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Psalm 27:13 (ESV)

• Pray for God’s glory to be seen

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Psalm 63:2 (ESV)

We hope you are off to a great start in your prayer walking as you call out to God for our city and its people. This week, in addition to praying as the Spirit leads, consider this prayer focus:

PRAY FOR SURRENDER AND SUBMISSION

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7 (ESV)

• Pray that God’s will be done

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matthew 26:41-42 (ESV)

• Pray in humility

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10 (ESV)

• Pray with personal repentance and confession of sin

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (ESV)

Isn’t it such an encouragement to think of people prayer walking all over our community? This week, in addition to praying as the Spirit leads, consider your brothers and sisters in Christ:

PRAY FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 (ESV)

• Pray for unity and love for each other

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)

• Pray for revival – Stir us to prayer and boldness to speak the name of Jesus

…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel… Ephesians 6:18-19 (ESV)

• Pray for NP Berean and other churches to put on the whole armor of God

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV)

You are already in the second month of prayer walking! We’re praying you will continue strong and not be discouraged by the enemy. As you pray as the Spirit leads, also consider praying for protection:

PRAY FOR A HEDGE OF PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY

Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. Job 1:10 (ESV)

• Pray that God will strengthen and mature us

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11 (ESV)

• Pray that the Lord will destroy the schemes of the devil

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ… 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

• Pray that He will dispel darkness

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)

As you walk through your neighborhoods, may the Spirit lead your praying to specifically pray for unbelievers.

CLAIM THEM IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

“…then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” Acts 4:10 (NIV)

• Pray He will open doors to tell people about Jesus

“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Luke 10:5-9 (ESV)

• Pray for open eyes, hearts, and minds

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (ESV)

• Pray for people to be transformed by the gospel

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

• Pray for a deeper hunger and thirst for God’s Word

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation… 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)

While it is important to pray for individual unbelievers, don’t forget to also lift up the leaders who can impact our city so strongly. As you are led by the Spirit in prayer, also consider this focus:

PRAY FOR LEADERS AND THOSE IN AUTHORITY OVER US

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)

• Pray for wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (ESV)

• Pray with respect

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV)

• Pray for safety and courage

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

When it is especially hot, and you don’t feel like prayer walking, you can always prayer-drive! Maybe this week the Spirit will lead you to expand your prayer focus:

PRAY FOR REPENTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY

And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.” Nehemiah 1:5-7 (ESV)

• Pray God will purify us

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 (ESV)

• Pray for His forgiveness

“…but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15 (ESV)

• Pray for reconciliation in relationships

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)

We will soon be starting our third month of prayer walking! We hope this has blessed you in unexpected ways. This week, in addition to praying as the Spirit leads, pray for God’s powerful blessings:

PRAY BLESSING ON HOUSEHOLDS

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3 (ESV)

• Pray He will bless our marriages and families

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

• Pray for our neighborhoods

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place…” Acts 17:26 (ESV)

• Pray for a legacy of faithfulness

“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3 (ESV)

As you connue to prayer walk we are asking that the Lord would make you especially sensive to spiritual strongholds that hold people captive. Pray for victory through the Lord!

PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL STRONGHOLDS TO BE BROKEN – BIND THE “STRONG MAN”

“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:28-30

• Pray for freedom from addictions

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

• Pray God will expose and deliver from evil

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:17-18 (ESV)

• Pray He will rescue people from the kingdom of darkness

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son… Colossians 1:13 (ESV)

As you walk and pray in the Spirit, consider adding an even larger perspective to your prayers:

PRAY FOR LIVES ON MISSION AND FOR MUCH FRUIT

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15:16 (ESV)

• Pray that locally He will raise up evangelists

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2 (ESV)

• Pray that Jesus will be known throughout the nation

…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth… Philippians 2:10 (ESV)

• Pray for global outreach – that we’d obey the Great Commission

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

• Pray for stories of faith and encouragement

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11 (NIV)

As you faithfully walk and pray, remember that God’s Word is powerful and effective. In great anticipation of His mighty power, let’s pray specifically for His blessings on our community.

PRAY BLESSING ON OUR COMMUNITY

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

• Pray for our schools

To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance… Proverbs 1:2-5 (ESV)

• Pray for businesses

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Proverbs 11:11 (ESV)

• Pray for those who serve us

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)

Faithful prayer walkers, we hope this summer of prayer walking has been an encouragement to you! We pray that God will be made famous in our community and that you may be inspired to continue to prayer walk in the future as the Lord leads.