Take a Walk on the Prayer Side

James 5:16
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

I hate to admit this, having lived in the Fairfax neighborhood for eleven years, but I only know a handful of my neighbors by name.  Sure, I recognize faces when folks are out walking their dogs or working in their yards, but learning who they are beyond a friendly wave?  Sadly, no.

Something happens recently, though, which promises to change all that.  Many of us are connected online through a chat room entitled Neighborhood Fairfax.  Tom posts that he is discouraged by the state of disrepair into which the sign at the entrance of our neighborhood has fallen.  This precipitates a lively exchange as many of us suggest ideas and solutions.

Before we know it, an artistically talented man by the name of Ron, volunteers to completely overhaul the sign if we are willing to contribute monetarily.  I am delighted by the eager response of my neighbors as pledges come pouring in!  And just look at Ron's marvelous handiwork replete with fall decorations!

Now it might seem like I'm shifting subjects here, but bear with me.  It is only days after the sign is erected that I read a post by my blogging friend, Beckie Lindsey, at Spotlight about the concept of Prayer Walking.  Beckie writes:  The idea of prayer walking through your community is to allow your prayers to extend beyond your own concerns, focusing on the needs of others, while opening yourself to see them with God's eyes and heart.  Prayer Walking is simply taking our prayers to the very places we desire to see God's presence manifested.

What an awesome concept!  I decide, then and there, to skip the treadmill at the gym and instead, walk through Fairfax, praying for those living in each and every home.  I ask God to pour His blessings of love, grace and peace on all who dwell there; I pray, too, that if they do not yet know Jesus, that God would lead them to accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

I have to say, without reservation, that this is the best walk I've ever experienced.

I didn't think about me, or how tired my legs were feeling (we have a lot of hills in our 'hood), or how hot the day was waxing.  My entire being is focused on prayer.

On God.

On my neighbors.

I still can't put names with the faces, though I'm holding out hope.  But after my prayer walk, I feel I love and appreciate my neighbors in an entirely new way.

God's way.

Amen.

~

Meditations of My Heart will be on hiatus next week as Danny and I head for the North Carolina mountains.  It's our first visit to a cabin during the peak leaf-changing season, so we are really pumped!  As usual, when I get away like this, I tune down/turn off social media, so will not be reading/commenting on any of your always wonderful blogs.  I will return here on WEDNESDAY, not the usual Tuesday, October 26th.  God's blessings to you all!