Prayer Patrols

All kinds of prayers . . .

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

An urban church in Bristol, England, developed an interesting response to the high crime rate in its neighborhood. It developed “prayer patrols” that take place three times daily. Volunteers walk through the streets, knocking on doors, collecting prayer requests, and praying with the inhabitants. Police officials say that the number of robberies has been reduced by 51 percent, and burglaries are down by 21 percent. City officials say that prayer has broken the siege mentality that had gripped the neighborhood as a result of gang warfare.

There are many different ways and times to pray, and sometimes we get in a rut. Try walking through your neighborhood, praying for the families in the homes you pass. Try praying for the churches you pass on your drive to work. Try praying over your newspaper, interceding to God for the events of the day. Try praying out loud. Try writing out your prayers. Try composing a hymn of prayer to God.

The Bible says, “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 saints” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).