I love my family. I mean I REALLY love my family. There is no one on the planet that I would rather be around than my wife and my two sweet little kids. I would imagine you love your families in exactly the same measure …. BUT being cooped up in the house all day with them … this can get old and get old FAST!
Sometimes you just need some space and time on your own. Well, I have some game-changing advice. Go outside … and prayer walk! It is healthy for you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You may not realize it, but you wield real power to impact your neighbors through prayer.
I remember reading an article years ago that talked about the “ministry of the sky”. Being inside all the time with the fluorescent lights and stale air is not good for us physically, but spiritually as well. Sometimes you just need to go outside and see the clouds, trees, feel the sun on your skin, and wind in your face.
ENJOY GOD’S CREATION
God takes pleasure in His creation, we should as well. Psalm 104 details God’s splendor in His creation and says in verse 31, “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works”. God delights in the work of His hands.
This is not idol worship. He did not say that we are to worship the creation, but we can marvel at the one who created it. There is a big difference. God’s creation is just another way to express His glory. Everything exists…for His glory.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. – Colossians 1:16
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. – Psalm 19:1
As you go outside and look around, marvel at the creation God has given us, and then let that compel you to worship the creator in all His glory. He is the sovereign creator God over all this creation. He is magnificent, He is glorious.
PRAYER-WALKING IS REAL MINISTRY
When you are outside and enjoying God’s creation why don’t you pray and thank Him? Worship Him. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) We walk a lot; we could pray as we walk and radically increase and benefit our prayer life. As you walk through your neighborhood, pray for your neighbors. Pray that they may come to know the Lord. Pray that God would use you to meet their needs and be light in the darkness. Pray that they are safe physically from this virus.
Prayer walk around a school close to your house. Pray that God would allow His church access to schools to share the gospel. Pray for the younger generations of Christians to become radical followers of Christ who are passionate about the great commission.
Anyone can be a part of this ministry of prayer. There is REAL power in prayer. This power does not originate from us. No, it comes from God. Consider the following:
The Lord God Almighty can do all things; there is nothing impossible for Him (Luke 1:37).
The Lord God Almighty invites His people to pray to Him. Prayer to God should be made persistently (Luke 18:1), with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6), in faith (James 1:5), within the will of God (Matthew 6:10), for the glory of God (John 14:13-14), and from a heart right with God (James 5:16).
The Lord God Almighty hears the prayers of His children. He commands us to pray, and He promises to listen when we do. “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).
The Lord God Almighty answers prayer. “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me” (Psalm 17:6). “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17)
(Albert Mohler - The Prayer That Turns The World Upside Down)
You may think not much is happening when you prayer-walk, but that is simply not true.
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. – 1 John 5:14
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5
You do not have, because you do not ask. – James 4:2
Get out there … start walking ... start praying … start asking! God is listening. These are times for people of faith. These are times for praying. It will be good for your family’s sanity and will be a fantastic ministry to the world around you.