During the New Members classes at our church, Associate Pastor Ben describes a structured daily prayer discipline – name a category for each day of the week, and concentrate supplications in that category that day.  The list is flexible; right now I am using Sunday – Missionaries; Monday – School and Government officials (including teachers!); Tuesday – Church ministries; Wednesday – Neighbors and Friends; Thursday – Church Elder District; Friday – Extended Family; Saturday – My Personal Character and Scheduling.

On Wednesdays, I try to walk around the block, using the Lighthouse Ministry idea of praying a blessing on each household (See a bit more about Lighthouse in tomorrow’s post).  The simplicity and combination of physical and spiritual exercise appealed to me, but  I was convicted recently that rather than being a Lone Ranger Prayer, I should be willing to share the concept with people I encounter on the walk, and maybe ask some to join me. 

Accordingly, I set out one day ready to explain what I was doing.  I immediately choked with the lady across the street; she was just beginning her own walk with her two small yappy dogs and we talked about the pets.  My resolve increased at the corner, when another neighbor driving by slowed and rolled down the passenger side window. Here’s my chance!

He asked jokingly, “Are you lost, little boy?” And he immediately followed with “You look like an Alzheimer’s patient wandering back and forth on the sidewalk.” (Note to self – DO keep your eyes open, and walk with a little more purpose.)

I replied that I was strolling the block praying for people as I walk by their houses.  He jumped to, “Isn’t it awful how some are so rundown?”

“The people or the houses?”

“The houses!”  And he launched into a series of complaints on how people were not taking care of their lawns and what he had been doing recently to beautify the neighborhood.   This was NOT what I expected.

But then, in the last part of the circuit, another neighbor was coming down the driveway as I went by.  I knew she had some church background, so I just blurted out that I was finishing my walk around the block, praying for people as I went.  I explained about praying a blessing on people because I don’t know what people need, but God does.  She asked for two at her house, please.  Nice. That was more what I was hoping for.  I will continue to share and expect God to lead to further conversations.