prayer encounters

I have heard of a number of church groups who go “Prayer Walking”.  They go through neighborhoods and pray on corners, in front of houses, schools, fire houses, etc.  I think it is a good practice.

My verson of it is a little bit different.

My prayer team is me and Chuy, my lovable Tennessee mutt.  Chuy is a Spanish nickname for Jesus, by the way.  We got him as a pup last Christmas and our lives have never been the same.  I have written about the benefits of dog walking in a post entitled “Full Circle”http://prayerencounters.com/2012/06/26/full-circle/

My main purpose in walking Chuy needs no explanation, but God’s purpose has been bigger.  My neighbors love that dog.  Some will come out just to pet Chuy, not even making eye contact with me.  What am I? Chopped liver?  🙂

He puts people at ease, though, enough that they will talk to me without any hesitation.  Mainly the conversations are short and polite; a word about the weather or something safe like that.  But occasionally someone gives me an honest answer to “How are you today?”

A few weeks ago, Chuy and I came across an older, slightly frail looking woman who I did not recognize.  She was walking up and down a short stretch of the street.  She looked anxious.

Her face brightened as Chuy appoached.  “Oh, I love dogs!  Can I pet him?”  Sure.  “I’m staying with my daugher and son-in-law for a few days.”  Just then I heard a voice from over the fence that we were standing by, “Are you talking to my pastor there?”

It was my new friend, Sam.  He came out around the fence and introduced me to his mother-in-law.  “Paul, did you know I tell people you’re my pastor?” I smiled.  “We’re friends, too,” he added, addressing his mother-in-law, Edna.

Just then Sam’s wife, Edna’s daughter, Nancy came out, too.  Chuy was eating up the attention.  Sam said, “It’s good that you two met.  Edna is here because she is getting some tests done over at [nearby medical center]. We think her cancer has come back.”

Edna just kept loving on Chuy.

I asked if I could offer a prayer.  We gathered in a circle on the sidewalk, Chuy included, and prayed.

You do not need a dog to walk in your neighorhood, but be sure to take Jesus with you.  He is also very helpful in introducing you to your neighbors.

You never know when you might find yourself prayer walking.

Helping people in need is important. Jesus did this. But his ultimate purpose was and is to bring people into relationship with God and with each other.

If we are to carry on his mission in the world today, we must be open to having a relationship with those we help. We cannot simply parachute into a neighborhood or country, drop off help, and helicopter out again.

For about a year our church offered a free meal to the community every Sunday night. The economy was hitting people hard in our neighborhood, and we wanted to respond in some way. We put out a sign near the road that said “Free Meal Every Sunday 6 pm- It’s Not Charity, It’s Community”.

Some weeks we had thirty and others we had just two or three.

Everyone we met was in great need, but hunger was not always the need. We discovered that some people came just to be around other people. Those who came most regularly were lonely. They wanted someone to share a meal with rather than eating in front of the TV, where communication is always one way. We sat with them, listened to them, shared stories, and prayed with each them.

We made some good friends during that year, many of whom have contributed greatly to the shared life we call church. Every person created by God has something valuable to give. Perhaps friendship is the most valuable gift of all.

Life together is so much better than life apart. In reality, life apart is no life at all. Prayer is an expression of our shared life. It connects us with the world. As the saying goes, “A family that prays together stays together.”

Imagine if we viewed the whole world as our family. God does.