Going on a Prayer Walk

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwijX74r7tk

What I See ~ Elevation Worship

 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:2 NIVUK

 

The other night, Elizabeth came out of her bedroom complaining that she couldn’t sleep. She’d been in bed for a while, so I gave her a task. I told her I wanted her to go on a prayer walk. I asked her if, in her mind, she could see the front office at school. When she said yes, I asked her to list the names of all the people in that office. I told her to pause at each doorway and pray for them. Then, one by one, I took her on a walk through the hallways of our school, listing off each classroom and office, and told her to stop in each doorway to pray for the teachers, aides, and staff in those rooms. After we’d made it through all elementary, and the Warrior’s Den, she looked at me and asked, “When am I supposed to do all of this? And what about middle school and high school?” I reminded her that she was going to do it in her mind. I also told her that once she started praying, I doubted that she’d be awake past 2^nd grade, if she started with the kindergarten classrooms.

Prayer is a powerful weapon. While explaining the Armor of God, Paul says, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people,” (Ephesians 6:17-18). While the Bible doesn’t specifically speak to prayer-walking, Paul just instructed us to “always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” What better way to do that than with a prayer walk? You and your friends could walk the halls of your office or school, if they let you. You can walk and pray over your neighborhood. You can even lay in bed at night and pray for your pastors, or over the patients and staff in the hospitals or nursing homes.

Prayer’s power isn’t subject to your geography, only your availability. If we are going to carry one another’s burdens—and many of them are heavy—then the best way to show love and complete this task is through prayer. Where will you take your prayers, today?

©Heather Potts 2022

Change the Movie; Change the Tape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI

You Say ~ Lauren Daigle

 

… and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5 AMPC

 

If you don’t like where the pattern of your thoughts is taking you, think a different thought. ~ Graham Cooke

 

Have you ever watched a bad movie and realized halfway through you could either keep watching or do something else? Graham Cooke’s quote means as soon as you sense the downward spiral in your thoughts, it’s time to make a choice. Maybe, though, you’ve already fought the battle in your mind and are now feeling frustrated at having to battle for it, again. I felt that, recently. It’s not that I’d lost the ground I’d gained – I certainly wasn’t battling depression as I did in my teenage years – but I had become a bit lazy in taking every thought captive. That, coupled with some pain, I was ripe for attack.

 

Falling under attack isn’t the same as losing ground. As Joyce Meyer says in the opening of Battlefield of the Mind, “No matter how much we know in any area, there are always new things to learn, and things we have previously learned that we need to be refreshed in.” Clearly, I needed refreshing in this area, as God spent a week walking me though 2 Corinthians 10:5.

 

Have you ever struggled to follow verse 5? Years ago, a friend told me there were two parts. First, you need to know God’s truths to discern truth from lies. The second part is to take your thoughts captive. Think of your thoughts in a comic strip bubble. Then, you can easily grab and examine them. If they are truths from God, you can let them go. But if not, you need to throw them down and stomp on them. Luke 10:19 says we have the power and authority to trample on the head of the enemy. With your shoes of peace, trample the lie till it’s dead!

 

If you’ve been struggling with fear or lies, here are some truths to help you overcome. God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14); more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37); more precious than rubies (Pr. 31:10); and created for a purpose (Jer. 29:11). He also said you are unique, lovely, cherished, forgiven, victorious, chosen, and His (Ps. 139:13; Dan. 12:3; 1 Pet. 2:9; Ps. 103:12; 1 Jn. 5:4; Jn. 15:16; Is. 43:1). Don’t take this battle lying down; conquer it with God’s truth!

©Heather Potts 2022

Foxholes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1Hk0FVi_k

Together ~ for KING & COUNTRY (feat. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly)

 

Two are better than one … ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIVUK

 

When it comes to someone else’s foxhole, we tend to fall into three different categories. The first thinks, “How awful!” They may even yell down, “Praying for you!” But then they keep going. The second stops, calls down a prayer for the person in the foxhole, but then also moves on, praying again when they think about it. The third climbs down into the foxhole and remains till the “owner” vacates. I will confess, I have been all three types, and sadly, the second more often than the third. Climbing into someone else’s foxhole is hard, costly, and inconvenient.

 

When my first stepmom’s cancer got worse, my dad said people stopped “comin’ around.” He said it was if they thought it was “catchy.” He said the same was true after he and my mom divorced. As the kid, I can attest to that; I never saw some of my childhood friends, again. The adults didn’t want to “take sides,” and like I said, climbing into someone’s foxhole is hard, costly, and inconvenient.

 

Over the years, it’s cost others to step into our foxholes. It cost my aunt her time. It cost others their time, money, and even food, as one friend fasted for us—even during her vacation! In my post-COVID season, several people have jumped into my foxhole to pray for and encourage us. And thank God for them because I have been healing!

 

Maybe you’re in your own foxhole and it’s about all you can do to pray for God to help someone else. That’s OK. But if you’re able, and as Holy Spirit leads, consider climbing into someone else’s foxhole. Yes, it will cost you, but the return on your investment is exponential, both for the other person and for you.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 reminds us why we need each other:

Two are better than one …

if either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up. …

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.

We need each other! The cunning devil knows when we’re alone he can defeat us and God’s plans for our lives. But a friend and fellow believer will remind us that Christ is in our midst. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

 

If you have a need, I’d love to pray for and walk with you! And if you have been praying for me, thank you so much! Remember, we weren’t meant to walk alone. That’s why God gave us each other.

©Heather Potts 2022