‘Neighbourhood’ highlights Jesus’ command to “love our neighbours.”
“Neighbourhood Watch” was a community movement that encouraged local people to connect to keep their area safe. Neighbourhood can refer to a local community based on function – like schools, sport club or parish. We recommend using ‘local city areas’ (council, municipality, shire) websites to give you immediate access to local history of the land and people, geography, demographics, approximate electorates, schools, churches, key roads and businesses – and historic and current territorial spiritual issues. You can find and pray into local news issues by searching the name of our local city area.
Neighbourhood Prayer Watch
This is something healthy we can each do – starting today!
Jesus sent us each as His disciples, children of our Father, to overflow the blessings of His grace, love and life!
Ask Jesus to empower you with His Spirit to do this. (Acts 1:8)
As you go together you will release the presence of Jesus to establish His Kingdom reign in your neighbourhood, in the dry places, wild places, dark places… until together we fulfill Jesus’ commission.
Picture yourself going with the Spirit of Jesus.
“Funny thing about Together, It goes a long way”...
How simple is this?
Ask God to show you a partner or two who will commit to prayer watch your ‘neighbourhood’ with you. Start by a brief time of prayer together for God’s Spirit to open your heart and eyes how He will lead you, prepare hearts. Share inspirational Scripture and Worship, and anything you may be discerning about when and where you are to go, people or circumstances you should be alert to see. Let the Lord reveal to you who the neighbours are you to reach together.
Meet regularly to prayer walk the streets – for example around local homes, churches, schools, parks, shops and businesses. Let the Lord lead you turning left, right and pausing as you discern and praying or doing what He puts on your heart.
Be God’s ground cover – seeing what your Father is showing you and align with Him by praying in agreement, pausing where there are people who may be open to friendly contact or conversation as He leads. You can offer an encouragement to people, learn to bless them or offer to pray with them for any needs they have expressed. (Luke 10:1-38)
Most of us are happy to be naturally neighbourly.
Some folk, with Bill Wright from Adelaide, prefer to prayer walk wearing red T-shirts that say, “Praying for your local community.” They find people approach them to ask for prayer and they are seeing miraculous outcomes and influence as a result.
You could prayer walk the neighbourhood around your local church – praying for your church and those who will come. Some build faith connections by asking people if they have any needs you could pray for. Write these down and check in with them to see how things are going. Imagine spending the hour before church prayer walking around the church block – meeting and praying for those you meet. You will have amazing stories to share about what Jesus has done!
Email us if you’d like to join an online group to talk about this and have us pray with you. sue@partnersinprayer.org.au
Read more on Neighbourhood Prayer Watch.
Neighbourhood Prayer Watch: Why? Who?
Neighbourhood Prayer Watch – Where? How? This includes electoral details for prayer in each of the municipalities in Victoria