Prayer walking

Here's one I wasn't sure I would ever write about - prayer walking. Something I didn't envisage being involved with again, but when I'e been curious to see how the little mission church I know went about these things and as I had a spare Saturday I decided to join in. And then worried about how I would feel if we clustered on street corners to pray aloud. In the event, I was late on the day and hurried round the corner to see one of our number walking slowly along the street alone and not looking at all out of place. So, it was silent prayer, I could manage that. After a quick discussion about where I should go, I began zigzagging along the streets. At the end of each 'zig' I was rewarded with a glorious view of the mouth of the Tyne. And each 'zag; took me along another row of fine brick built houses. By now I was in my stride. The rhythmn of the Jesus prayer (Lord have mercy) was in my feet and my intention was carried with them. This left my mind free to take in and appreciate the well-tended flowers, the new curtains, sparkling brass, garden ornaments, children's toys. The men working to repair roofs and to repaint while the weather held. The people talking on the front step. The whole multicultural feel to the area, the ancient history on our doorstep. No wonder the north east is known as God's Own Country. Did it make a difference? Reasearch has shown that transcendental meditation can make a difference to the crime rate in an area. Buddhists 'earth walk' to connect with the natural world. Maybe if we all just walked for walking's sake and appreciated what and who is around us things might just be that little bit better.