If you were watching my life every day, you would see times when I simply take a walk and talk to the Lord. I suppose I might look odd if you don’t know what I’m doing, but I’ve found this method of prayer to be a good one. Here’s why:
- Walking and praying helps me to concentrate on prayer. The TV is not on. My laptop is back in my office. My phone may be in my hand, but I use it only to listen to soft Christian music as I pray. Some of the things that most often distract me from prayer just aren’t there.
- Walking and praying pushes me to break away from my work – which, if I’m honest, can become an idol to me. I want to do my work well, and I appreciate affirmation for my efforts. Neither of these admissions is necessarily problematic, except that I can be driven to work in an unhealthy way. Walking and praying helps me break this pattern.
- Walking and praying gives me at least some exercise. I work out at the gym regularly, so I don’t necessarily need the additional exercise—but it never hurts to push myself a little at my age. Sitting all day in my office is not the best use of my time and energy.
- Walking and praying helps me to see people differently. Because I’m focusing on the Lord as I walk, I see people not just as faces in a busy world, but instead as sheep who need a shepherd. Depending on where I’m walking, I might be the only person praying that day for someone I pass or encounter.
- Walking and praying leads me to pray for others I would not likely have considered. That is, I whisper a simple prayer for people I pass as I walk. Quite often, those folks are students, faculty, and staff at Southeastern Seminary, where I teach. At other times, they may be community members walking our campus. Only God knows the needs of the people for whom I pray, but I love praying with that truth in mind. I don’t have to know their needs; I just need to know the God who does know them.
- Walking and praying gives me opportunities to invite others to pray with me. It was the book, The Walk, the story of the mentoring relationship between Chrisitan musician Michael Card and his New Testament professor, Dr. Bill Lane, that first offered me this challenge. It’s really quite a powerful moment when you walk with another believer and do nothing but pray aloud.
I challenge you to talk a few minutes today, push away from your work, take a walk . . . and talk with the Lord!