How to Prayer Walk for Your Spirit and Health
A collage of people doing a prayer walk
A Prayer Walk Approach: Why God doesn’t mind prayer during exercise
In Jesus’ time, most people traveled by foot - somewhere between five and 15 miles a day. But for us, getting 10,000 steps a day is a challenge - especially for those who work from home. But, have you ever considered prayer walking?
I know what you’re thinking. Prayer walking is about prayer. And - you’re right. It is about prayer. However, consider God’s plan for our wholeness. It includes both our bodies and our spirits.
Jesus’ earthly ministry incorporated the physical. I don’t know if Jesus purposefully did habit-stacking by walking from here to there, doing miracles, but I do know that he wasn’t sitting still, wait for miracles to come to him. He was always on the move, doing the will of his Father.
Many of his miracles were healings. He walked, and he healed. He healed spiritually, and he also healed people’s bodies. So, no. Jesus does not mind you taking care of your body while doing something spiritual. He wants us to be whole.
In fact, walking while praying may even boost your prayer life and make it more effective than a sleepy prayer on a Monday morning.
The Spiritual Benefits of Prayer Walking
In a typical prayer walk, you talk to God while walking around a particular area. The Spirit may lead you to pray for specific people you see in the area, or he may give you authority to counter dark influences in a particular space.
Prayer walking at home offers the same strong connection with God.
When I do my prayer walks in the mornings, I walk laps around my home while listening to gospel music, and just pray organically. This really leaves my spirit encouraged and in tune with what God is doing in our family life and around our home. I have come to look forward to it every day.
Here are some things you can pray for on a solo prayer walk…
Pray for your own spiritual growth and for that of each family member
Pray for unity and healthy bonds between family members and neighbors
Pray for your family’s protection
Pray for God’s anointing for different seasons of parenthood
Pray for peace, favor, and joy in your in your marriage
How Walking helps you build a prayer routine
On a prayer walk, the physical and the spiritual are working together. It’s a time of power where you and God grow closer, you get the benefits of physical activity, and you stay engaged in two things you know need to happen.
On a 30-minute walk, you can get 3,000 - 4,000 steps in. That’s quite a dent in your 10K step goal for the day.
But instead of just walking, you’re also praying - praying for your family, your career, your church, your children, your country, and even how to have an excellent and successful day.
Here are some benefits of adding physical activity to your prayer life:
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As you exercise, you are increasing the blood flow and oxygen to your brain, which makes you more alert. This helps you maintain a connection with God long enough to hear him speak.
Do you remember the disciples’ prayer fatigue on the Mount of Gethsemane? Instead of falling asleep or outright avoiding prayer, taking a prayer walk gives you a chance to be successful and more intentional.
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God calls us to love others as we love ourselves, and prayer walking helps us to connect this principle while we intercede on behalf of others.
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Taking care of yourself while praying is another level of faith, because it lets God know you realize you’re not the one making things happen. As exercise is already a goal-oriented task, it takes the pressure out of your prayers to be performative. Prayer walking gives you the freedom to pray organically, take pauses, and allow the Spirit to lead.
Prayer walking can be a new opportunity for you to connect with God, make a spiritual impact in your homes and neighborhoods, and warm your body up for a day of God’s best.
The Benefit of Community Support As You Prayer Walk Alone
Prayer walking with a virtual group allows to you to walk and pray at your own pace but also helps you with consistency with the accountability of a community.
On our FB group page, Monday Motif will share encouraging scriptures every Monday to motivate you on your prayer journey and also remain open for group members to share scriptures and spiritual encouragement.
Consider joining us every week for motivation and check-ins as you start your prayer journey.
It is a free and simple tool you can you can use to develop a habit of prayer while boosting your physical health.
Click Here to Join Our Motivation Walking FB Group, It’s Free!