Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” - Romans 12:10-12

Each year during the fall high holy days on Yom Kippur ancient Israel fasted and prayed and provided an offering to make atonement for the sins of the nation.  Thus they were purified for a year before God.  However, this was not all.  The following week began the Feast of Tabernacles, during which the nation of Israel in turn sacrificed 70 bulls according to Numbers 29:12-34.  Although God did not provide a specific explanation for the sacrifice of these bulls it is believed these sacrifices were meant to cover the other nations of the world.  In a similar manner it is the Church’s responsibility to cover the planet and intercede for all humanity through our prayers.

For the past several years, Capital Community Church (CCC) has prayed for Loudoun schools, families and surrounding communities as they begin another  school season.  The Word of God commands us in Philippians 4:6-7 to not worry, but to instead lift up every concern to the Lord in prayer.  When we do this, we are promised a peace that surpasses human understanding.  Capital Community Church is committed to prayer.  Last year, CCC’s annual Prayer Walk involved almost 60 elementary, middle and high schools and facilities in various communities and townships throughout Loudoun County. 

Prayer can often be difficult thing to keep doing day after day.  Yet Scripture is clear about its significance to the work in the Kingdom of God.  In fact, God has chosen prayer to be one of the primary means by which He accomplishes His purposes in the world.  One of the ways we can bring God’s will to fruition is by Prayer Walking.  Simply put, Prayer Walking is an attempt to pray among those you are trying to reach.  There are many types (street, door-to-door, strategic areas and key buildings). The goal is always the same: obedience to God’s command to pray for others and faithfulness to join Him in the work that He is doing.  Prayer Walking, like all prayer, is intercession that also transforms the intercessor and his/her prayers.

CCC conducted its Third Annual Back to School Prayer Walk on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.  More than 30 men, women and children from the CCC congregation as well as members from Community Lutheran Church (Sterling) and Word of Life International Church (Ashburn) came out to pray over Loudoun’s schools.  Prayer Walkers gathered together in the parking lot for a group prayer before splitting into teams.  Each team was given maps and assignments to pray over four to eight schools as part of a plan to spread out and provide coverage for 100 current and future Loudoun public school sites.  The walkers then drove to their assigned schools and surrounding communities to intercede for the 66,000 students and thousands of staff.

In Matthew 18:19-20, the Word of God promises that “if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The walkers casually strolled through the school yards and neighborhoods, praying and seeking the Holy Spirit to intercede for them.

Among the topics for which Prayer Walkers prayed were:
1. Protection for students and staff of each school against all forms of harm
2. Protection against the spirits of suicide and bullying
3. A spirit of compassion and unity among students
4. Strength and wisdom for faculty and staff members
5. Strengthening of marriages and family units in the surrounding community
6. Prevention of divorce, abuse and infidelity
7. Restoration of broken homes
8. Salvation of each family represented in the school and surrounding communities
9. An outpouring of the Holy Spirit in every household and every local church
10. A greater revelation of God for each pastor as well as personal revival
11. Greater love and unity among the Body of Christ in the Loudoun area
12. A productive year and favor with the Lord for families with home schooled children

Including the children was such a crucial key to the prayer walk this year.  Parents were overjoyed about how their children were engaged during the prayer walk. Every child and student wanted to pray over their own school.  CCC believes in the importance of demonstrating and teaching the next generation of Christians to pray over their neighbors and community and that it is our responsibility to engage in the spiritual welfare of others.

This article was written in collaboration with Samantha Francis. Samantha is a resident of Ashburn and attends Capital Community Church.  If you would like to know more about prayer walking, please contact Prayer Coordinator Samantha Francis at Sfrancis@CapitalCommunity.org. 

Capital Community Church http://www.capitalcommunity.org is located at 20430 Ashburn Village Blvd. in Ashburn.  The congregation was founded in 1996 by Senior Pastor Chester Mitchell and First Lady Marion Mitchell.  The leadership team consists of Pastors Stephen O’Donnell, Anthony Francis, Terrence Bridges and Jon-Paul Bellamy.  The assembly of approximately 500 attends three weekly services held on Sundays, including a Spanish speaking service on Sunday afternoons.