by Aisha in Franklinton, OH
Prayer is the work. I heard this phrase during my training and support raising process, reminding me that nothing is accomplished for God’s Kingdom apart from prayer.
The phrase has stuck with me now that I am in Franklinton, and I am understanding it in a new way.
I believe that God is already at work in Franklinton. He is drawing people to Himself, taking the scales off people’s eyes, and breaking through the darkness in powerful ways.
It excites me that my role is to come alongside my Heavenly Father in all that He is already doing in the neighborhood.
Prayer Walking
I have made it a part of my weekly routine to walk through the neighborhood, praying as I go. I do this several times a week and generally my route is the same.
Before I set out to walk, I shoot a text to a prayer partner asking them to pray with me as I prayer walk. I walk and pray about an hour each time, with the expectation that my Heavenly Father is going to lead me to where He is at work.
If someone crosses my path, I greet them and listen to see if the Holy Spirit is prompting me to talk and pray with them.
As I go, the Holy Spirit places things on my mind to pray for, like how toys in a yard usually prompt me to pray for the children who live there.
After my first few times of walking and praying, I felt discouraged because I didn’t once pray with anyone or make any connections with my neighbors. But I believed God was encouraging me to keep praying anyway to “Pray until something happens.”
So I am walking and praying and trusting and following my Father into the places He is at work in Franklinton!
Praying the Lord’s Prayer over my City
This month I have started to pray the famous Lord’s Prayer during my route, using it as a guide. Here’s how that looks:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy
Father, thank You that you desire a relationship with Your people – to be our Father! Make that truth known to my neighbors- give them a desire to know You as their Heavenly Father. And may they see you You as holy.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Lord, bring your Kingdom crashing down on Franklinton- through Your Church and through Your Holy Spirit. May the ways of Your Kingdom happen here in Franklinton; break the chains of addiction, raise up Fathers to lead their families, bring peace where there is violence and anger. Convince my neighbors that the ways of your Kingdom and Your Heavenly Family are better. Convince them of their need for You.
Give us the food we need
Father, You delight in providing all of the needs of Your children. Be with the families whose basic needs are not being met and who don’t know where their next meal will come from. Mobilize Your church to address these needs in a way that upholds dignity.
Forgive us our sins
I love that in the same breath of asking for physical needs, we plead before You to meet our spiritual needs. Please Lord, convict people of their sins, their waywardness, and their need for You. In Your kindness, lead my neighbors to repentance.
As we forgive those who sin against us.
As people are receiving and walking in Your forgiveness, Father may they model forgiveness in their homes and on their streets.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Bind the work of Satan. As you draw my neighbors to yourself, give them new desires that will keep them from giving way to the temptation of their old life. Rescue my neighbors from despairing and replace the darkness with hope.