Last night we met at church to go out and walk to pray for our mission field. If you haven’t caught it by now, the mission field is area, town, zip code, radius, or anything in your context to focus on making disciples. Our mission field is very diverse and polarized: not a lot of middle class, not a lot of Gen-Xers, not a lot of “you aint from around here, aren’t ya?”. Just the two extremes of about everything you can imagine.
The first thing we did was read Luke 10 and gave some instructions that we are praying for our community and that we may get to know their needs and wants as a church. We may pray for people to come to our church, but the main focus of this prayer walk was to open our hearts to what this community need in a church.
Then we broke up in groups to go out in to the mission field. Each group received a card that had a description of where to visit, scripture, and some ideas on what to pray for. The seven areas that we prayed were:
1) Government buildings
The government shall be upon his shoulder, Isaiah 9: 6;
Pray for kings and all in authority, 1 Timothy 2: 1-2.
Pray that they will trust God even during those times when they find themselves fearful of walking across a difficult path. ...Pray that God will give them wisdom to know when to lead and when to follow. "He who walks with the wise grows wise." Proverbs 13:20
2) Other Churches
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many.
I Corinthians 12: 12-13
I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. Matthew 18: 19-20
Pray for cooperation and that we may see the good in all of our doings. We pray for that people find a fit in a church where God meets them and that they may grow in grace and knowledge of God.
3) High places that look over the lake, golf courses, places where people have recreation
I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
Now when he saw the crowd, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him and He began to teach them. Matthew 5-7
We pray for those enjoy life and may not know God. Look over and pray what may be the first contact with God, his creation. May we and they that use this wonderful creation be good stewards.
4) Neighborhoods
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I Peter 4: 8-10
Depend on the Lord; trust Him and He will take care of you. Psalm 37:5
Think of the many people who are walking with you through this life. Pray for the specific needs of those in this neighborhood. Trust that the God of the universe hears your prayers, sees all and knows all and will never leave them to walk alone.
5) Schools
Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Pray something like, Blessed are you, O Lord our God. You give us time for growing and learning and you give the gift of education. Help them also to serve you and work toward a faith-filled future. Amen.
6) Hospitals
Always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 4:23-24
Pray for those who do not have family with them to be with them in this time. Pray for the Hospital doctors, nurses and staff. Pray that they exemplify your love and care. Pray the God’s will be done and that all be done to uphold a quality of life. "And surely I am (walking) with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20
7) Businesses
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.
Colossians 3:23
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings… Proverbs 22:29
Pray that even when they are exposed to worldly things they will recognize the presence of God walking beside them. Pray for business ethics and that God is in the commerce and that no one get exploited. "Walk in the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Deuteronomy 5:33
I think people we surprised of what they felt as they prayed. Feedback was good. The fun thing, besides meeting back at the frozen custard shop, was that the groups traded cards to pray on the way home or throughout the week for other places that they didn’t pray for that night. Now remember you heard it here first. Prayer Trading Cards, if the Christian Capitalist hear about this you will get prayer trading cards with pictures of Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Ed Young, and the rare find of Jesus Christ. Oh I can see it now, opening my pack of prayer cards looking for the rare Jesus card, but being satisfied with a flour covered, stale piece of gum. Praise God!
Thanks for praying.