By Cathy Dodge, Vermont Prayer Force
The Vermont Prayer Force is encouraging people across the state to take advantage of the summer weather and walk the villages and towns of Vermont in prayer.
This invitation first went out through their newsletter to intercessors, but all are welcome to participate.
As spring gives way to summer, many of us look forward to getting outside again, walking through neighborhoods, along village streets, and through the towns we call home. For some, walking has always been a way of getting alone with God. For others, it becomes an opportunity to invite a few friends along and pray together.
There is something powerful about walking with God through the places where people live, work, struggle, hope, and dream. As we walk past homes, businesses, schools, churches, and gathering places, we can ask the Lord to show us how to pray.
What if walkers across Vermont began asking God where He would have them walk? What if prayer walking became a way to affect the atmosphere for the Kingdom of God?
Those who prayer walk have shared testimonies of how consistent prayer walking has helped change the spiritual atmosphere of neighborhoods, towns, and regions. Some have seen situations shift from bad to good. Others have sensed protection over land, communities, and families as they walked and prayed.
A Testimony from Johnson, Vermont
One woman shared this story:
“When I moved to Johnson in 2021, I knew no one in the town. Because I love to walk, I began daily walking a 3.5-mile loop around the neighborhood with my Great Dane.
To my surprise, people began stopping to talk to me. At first, the exchanges were very simple. Then, after a few months, I started seeing a pattern. People began sharing about their fears, their hopes, and things they were thinking about.
I realized that just being listened to made them feel loved and valued.
About a year later, one of my neighbors lost her husband to illness. I took food to her house, and that began a friendship where she would come to my house for dinner. Then she began asking me to her house for dinner.
Later, she asked me what I thought about inviting another neighbor, who was also a widow, to join us. So the three of us began enjoying periodic dinners together. Perhaps no surprise, the group further expanded to three more widows in our neighborhood.
Now the group meets regularly to help one another with advice, cheer each other on, have dinners, and run errands for one another if needed. The group has a life of its own.
Loneliness is being uprooted with the genuine joy of being together, all in a neighborhood where there had been very little to no interaction between neighbors before.”
How to Join Walk Vermont
You can join by walking alone, with a friend, or with a small group. Some may want to organize a prayer walk in their town or village. Others may simply begin praying as they walk their normal route.
The Vermont Prayer Force also has a toolkit available for those who would like ideas for starting a group prayer walk.
One intercessor who lives in a rural community calls a friend in Minnesota and walks and prays with her over the phone. Others may choose to walk for the National Day of Prayer. If walking is not possible, driving through a community and praying is another way to participate.
Montpelier Prayer Walks Begin May 6
The Montpelier church will begin a rhythm of prayer walking on Wednesday, May 6, and continue every Wednesday evening into the fall.
The group will meet at 6:30 PM at Lighthouse Christian Church in Montpelier.
Anyone is welcome to join.
Share Your Testimonies
As people across Vermont walk and pray this summer, the Vermont Prayer Force is inviting participants to share their stories and testimonies.
- What is God showing you as you walk?
- What are you seeing change in your neighborhood, village, town, or region?
- How is God responding as His people pray?
Testimonies can be shared with Cathy Dodge by email at: [email protected]
Let’s see how many testimonies can be shared as we Walk Vermont this summer — praying, listening, and watching God respond across our state.
Re-published from Vermont Prayer Force newsletter for MyFaithNews.
