We are the church. It is not just a Sunday, one hour event. We take Jesus with us everywhere we go. The Holy Spirit dwells in every Believer. We have the incredible opportunity to step outside of the comfort of our homes and share Christ. There are many ways we can do this. One way is to pray.
I have started walking through my neighborhood and praying. Not prayers for my own needs, or the needs of my friends and family. I have my own prayer time at home for those things. I am praying specifically for my neighbors and my neighborhood as I walk.
I get some exercise and fresh air which is fantastic. I also get the benefit of walking through different parts of my neighborhood each time I go out. There are hundreds of homes in my subdivision. As I walk past each home it is a reminder that people live there. Families and individuals, all made in the image of God.
Some homes have Christians, Muslims, and other religions. Besides the neighbors right near my house, I don’t know anything about all the other people in my neighborhood. God does. So I pray according to His will and His word.
It’s easy to do. You do not need any special training. You do not need any special equipment. You need Jesus and a decent pair of walking shoes. That’s it.
The main goal of my prayers is for the salvation of anyone in my neighborhood who is not following Jesus. After that, I pray whatever the Holy Spirit brings to mind. I pray quietly to myself or in my head.
Here are some of the things I pray as I’m walking:
-Knock at their doors Jesus and at their hearts.
-Draw them to Jesus.
-Open their eyes to see the reality of their sin.
-May they have repentant hearts.
-Let them hear you, see you, and know you Jesus.
-Thwart every evil plan of the devil.
-Bring your peace to each home.
-Protect each home and our neighborhood.
-Fill our neighborhood with your presence.
-Let no one perish without knowing Jesus as Savior.
-Bring hope where it’s been lost.
-Provide for every need.
-Heal the sick and diseased.
-Protect the children.
-Flood every home and every heart with you, Jesus.
Those are just a few of the things I pray. It changes as I’m walking as the Holy Spirit brings specific Bible verses to mind or specific things to ask. Also, I picture Jesus going down the middle of the road ahead of me. He leads the way and goes to each door.
Prayer works because we are inviting God to take over. It’s all Him. We just need to ask.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:17-18, NASB
Elijah was a prophet but he was also an ordinary man. He prayed and prayed for no rain and there was no rain. Then he prayed again for rain and it rained. God heard his pleas and answered Elijah’s prayers.
What if we pray earnestly for our neighbors to come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?
Imagine if at least one Christian in every neighborhood, in every city, in every nation, committed to pray for their neighbors and neighborhood.
God moves when His people cry out to Him.
I live in a place with year-round nice weather, and I am able bodied. I can easily take a short walk and pray. You may live where you get snowed in. Maybe you live in a rural area and your closest neighbor is acres away. You can still pray.
If you live in a rural area.
You can walk your property and pray for your neighbors, even if they are far away.
You can do drive by prayers for homes and neighbors.
If you are not physically able to leave your house.
You can still pray for your neighbors and your neighborhood.
You can pray through an apartment building.
Go past each door and bring that presence and blessing of God.
Pray for that annoying neighbor.
Pray for that isolated neighbor.
Pray for that friendly neighbor.
Pray for every neighbor.
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well. James 2:8, NASB
Love you all,
Meghan
Father God,
Thank you for your perfect love for us. Thank you for Jesus and His shed blood to save us. Fill our hearts with love for our neighbors. Help us to see them the way you do. Teach us to pray and be light to our neighbors. Give us opportunities to be kind, helpful and show the love of Christ.
Amen
Meghan E White 