Prayer Walk is a deliberate strategy used worldwide to identify People of Peace—those who welcome you, accept prayer, engage with Scripture, and are willing to share it with others. Here are the key steps to follow:
Seek the Holy Spirit for Guidance: Begin by asking the Holy Spirit for direction on where to go and whom to approach. Be open and expectant. John 4:35
Target Receptive Groups: Focus on those most likely to respond by looking for individuals in the PIPSY category: Poor, Internationals, Prisoners, Sick, and Youth. Also, consider those who have received aid from local ministries, as they may be especially responsive.
Approach in Pairs: It's ok to Prayer Walk in groups, but approach people and homes in pairs. When you arrive, knock on the door—friends knock, strangers ring the bell.
Introduce Yourself and Offer Prayer: Introduce yourself and explain that you are followers of Jesus who are encouraging people by praying for them. Ask if you can pray for them and what they most need prayer for right now in their life.
Listen and Show Compassion: As they share their needs, listen for pain points and gently explore them by asking questions. Show genuine sympathy and step into what they are going through. Ask how they are coping and dealing with any hardship or difficulty.
Share an Encouraging Bible Story: Before praying, offer to share an encouraging story from the Bible using the DBS Story Sets, trying to align the story with their current situation (see list below). Share the story from memory and then ask, "Is there any part of this story that you can relate to?" or "What does this story teach us about God and people?" Again, humbly examine pain points with questions.
Pray for Them: Let what they shared shape your prayers. This is a powerful moment that invites God into their lives in an immediate and meaningful way. Additionally, they can feel the presence of God providing comfort and a sense of being heard and cared for.
Encourage Multiplication: After praying, ask if they know others (family and friends) who would be encouraged to hear the story from them. This is crucial as it identifies a potential person of peace and creates the DNA for multiplication. If they say yes, text them the story along with the questions. Follow up in 24 hours to see if they have shared the story. If they have, send another. Once they do this two or three times, meet again to teach them about Discovery Bible Study (DBS).
Go: Begin by rehearsing Prayer Walk with those who are interested. Familiarize yourself with the flow and steps to build confidence. Once you're comfortable, go out in real situations. You'll improve with experience, becoming more effective each time you do it. If possible, start by going out with someone more experienced, and eventually take someone less experienced. Make sure to debrief after each encounter.
Consider these stories to address felt needs that surface during your visit.
Seek the Holy Spirit for Guidance: Begin by asking the Holy Spirit for direction on where to go and whom to approach. Be open and expectant. John 4:35
Target Receptive Groups: Focus on those most likely to respond by looking for individuals in the PIPSY category: Poor, Internationals, Prisoners, Sick, and Youth. Also, consider those who have received aid from local ministries, as they may be especially responsive.
Approach in Pairs: It's ok to Prayer Walk in groups, but approach people and homes in pairs. When you arrive, knock on the door—friends knock, strangers ring the bell.
Introduce Yourself and Offer Prayer: Introduce yourself and explain that you are followers of Jesus who are encouraging people by praying for them. Ask if you can pray for them and what they most need prayer for right now in their life.
Listen and Show Compassion: As they share their needs, listen for pain points and gently explore them by asking questions. Show genuine sympathy and step into what they are going through. Ask how they are coping and dealing with any hardship or difficulty.
Share an Encouraging Bible Story: Before praying, offer to share an encouraging story from the Bible using the DBS Story Sets, trying to align the story with their current situation (see list below). Share the story from memory and then ask, "Is there any part of this story that you can relate to?" or "What does this story teach us about God and people?" Again, humbly examine pain points with questions.
Pray for Them: Let what they shared shape your prayers. This is a powerful moment that invites God into their lives in an immediate and meaningful way. Additionally, they can feel the presence of God providing comfort and a sense of being heard and cared for.
Encourage Multiplication: After praying, ask if they know others (family and friends) who would be encouraged to hear the story from them. This is crucial as it identifies a potential person of peace and creates the DNA for multiplication. If they say yes, text them the story along with the questions. Follow up in 24 hours to see if they have shared the story. If they have, send another. Once they do this two or three times, meet again to teach them about Discovery Bible Study (DBS).
Go: Begin by rehearsing Prayer Walk with those who are interested. Familiarize yourself with the flow and steps to build confidence. Once you're comfortable, go out in real situations. You'll improve with experience, becoming more effective each time you do it. If possible, start by going out with someone more experienced, and eventually take someone less experienced. Make sure to debrief after each encounter.
Consider these stories to address felt needs that surface during your visit.
- Broken relationships: The Prodigal Son. Luke 15:11-14
- Anxiety: Jesus Calms the Storm. Mark 4:35-51
- Busyness: Jesus and Mary/Martha. Luke 10:38-42
- Forgiveness; Jesus and the Immoral Woman. Luke 7:36-50
- Difficulties. Jesus Walks on Water. Matthew 14:22-33
- Parenting. Shema. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Provisions. Jesus and the Large Catch of Fish. Luke 5:1-11
- The Right Heart. Four Soils. Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
- Obedience. Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers. Luke 17:11-19
- Fear. Jesus Calms the Storm. Mark 4:35-41
Resources
- Watch Compassion (8:05)
- Watch Persons of Pease (5:41)
- Watch Finding Access on Mission (37:30)
- Watch Access Ministry (56:03)
- Watch Movements in Sudan thru Access Ministsry (46:53)
- View DMM Resources