Prayer Walk

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path…Psalm 119:105

What do you when you are troubled…concerned…worried…anxious?

What do you when you receive bad news…the type of news that makes your head spin and literally knocks you off your feet?

What do you do when you are hurting…lonely…discouraged?

What do you do when you are frustrated or angry?

And what do you do when you become weary and have no fight left in you?

Do you let that worry or concern overtake your thoughts and actions?

Do you let that bad news defeat you…believing there is no hope in that particular situation?

When you’re hurting…do you withdraw away from everyone…allowing your hurt and pain to take over…leaving you feeling even more lonely?

And when you are angry or frustrated…do you lash out…speaking words that hurt?

Do you just give up?

Or do you immediately turn to the Lord…seeking His advice…wisdom…guidance for whatever situation you are facing?

I wish I could say that I seek God immediately in every situation, but if I’m honest…I don’t always do that!

I tend to worry…which only robs me of the peace that God so desires to provide me if I would just immediately come to Him.

And talk about an over-active imagination…I have one!  I can come up with some of the craziest scenarios imaginable…and before you know it…I have myself convinced that one of those scenarios is exactly what is going to happen!

And then there is Google!  It’s great!  But have you ever tried to self-diagnose yourself or someone else be researching it on the web!  Oh my…if I haven’t I already imagined it…Google is right there to help me!

And when I’m hurting…I do pull back!  Sometimes it is to seek the Lord and just dwell in His presence, but sometimes I let pride creep in, which keeps me from seeking prayer and love from my brothers and sisters in Christ!

I am not an angry person and don’t normally have a temper.  However, if I’m completely honest, I have hurt people when I have responded with a carless or sharp retort…maybe not intentionally, but the hurtful words sting just the same.

And though I tend to be pretty optimistic…there are times when I have just wanted to throw in the towel and give up.

However, as I strive to become more like Jesus each day…I am learning to bring all of my cares…my concerns…my worries…my hurts…to Him first, allowing Him to meet me right where I am!

For years, some of the most amazing times I have spent with the Lord are during my Prayer Walks!  With praise and worship music streaming through my iPod into my spirit, I pour my heart out to my Heavenly Father!

I’m sure I’m often a sight during one of these Prayer Walks!  Someone passing by me might even be a little concerned by what they heard or saw. 

For example, they might…

Hear me praying (out loud)…

Singing (off key)…

Striving to keep my focus on God, they might see me walking with my eyes closed (maybe just a few steps…but still scary)…

Waving my arms frantically (looking like a candidate for a straight jacket)

Or lifting my arms in the air…as I praise and worship my Lord!

This is my time with the Lord…this is my time to pour my heart out…this is my time to worship Him…or this is my time to just be still before the Lord…asking Him to speak to my heart.

And as I seek God during my Prayer Walk…I am reminded of what scripture says… Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path…Psalm 119:105.

Regardless of what I am facing or dealing with…I can bring it all to God!  He already knows my circumstances…how I am feeling…and HE desires for me to come to him and to lay all my cares and concerns at his feet!

And as I study God’s word, He desires to show me the path I am to take, not just on my walks but also in my daily life.  I just have to follow where He is leading me.

Though there are many places to meet with the Lord…the time I spend with the Lord reading his word daily….and then pouring my heart out to Him during my Prayer Walks encourages me to take the steps He desires me to take each and every day.

And who knows…maybe you and I will pass each other on one of those walks!  I would love you to join me.

Dear Heavenly Father…help each of us to spend time daily with you.  Prayer walks may not be for everyone, but I know you desire to meet each of us right where we are.  Thank you for lighting our paths and showing us the way.