Welcome to the Camp Shalom Prayer Walk! The beautiful rocks on the walk were painted by Ginny and Jillian, and Ginny has included her own thoughts on what the rocks represent and how we can be challenged to pray in new ways. Take your time walking around the pond, visiting each station, and listening to the music that we have included. This is a personal experience—allow God to speak to you through it. We have provided a map to locate the stations and a reading for each one.
STATION 1
Prayer is the foundation of relationship with God, Yahweh, Jehovah, and Immanuel. In ALL God’s names we engage in conversation through prayer.
This is guided as a place to start. You are encouraged to walk the stations, praying as suggested or challenging yourself to consider another way. Shake the “I’ve never prayed that way” spirit. Each station offers scripture to ponder as well as a visual symbol.
There are several ways to pray. If it doesn’t make sense today, remind yourself that historically, prayer has changed. Re-awakening an old form may push you to a deeper, fuller connection to our Father. If it’s a challenge, remember that God doesn’t call the faint of heart.
IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW YOU PRAY AS LONG AS YOU PRAY:
Sit, stand, walk, bow down, hands up in worship, kneel, or lie down.
Enjoy the journey!
WHAT TO BRING:
Paper/journal/pen
Music/earbuds—not needed, but music is sweet for our souls
Bible
Blanket for sitting
STATION 2:
SHALOM—PEACE
Why here? Why now, today?
God is calling. Be not afraid…Say this word “Shalom” in your conversations. It’s a greeting, a hello or goodbye. A one-word blessing from one to another. Do not rush the process God is calling you into.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
“Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom…” Judges 6:24a
STATION 3:
SITTING BREATH PRAYER
Breathing in—Breathing out. (Breath prayer brings us into Holy Spirit, the breath of God in our lives.) Breathe in (inhale) with these words “I am” or “the Lord’s”. Breathe out (exhale) with these words “with You” or “my Shepherd”.
Slow your inhale and exhale for 4 seconds or longer; challenge your breath for 10 seconds. It’s a slow dialogue…wait for the response. If you have a visual distraction, close your eyes.
Practice your breath prayer with this verse:
“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10a
Enjoy listening to “Steadfast” by Michael W. Smith: https://youtu.be/z9vl6_z5kz4
STATION 4:
THE FIVE FINGER PRAYER ROCK
Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists! Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to? Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me. And what you want to give me is love, unconditional, everlasting love. Amen.
Now open your hands and pray this prayer:
The Thumb – for the ones we love
Index Finger – for the ones that teach us
Middle Finger – for our governors
Ring Finger – for the sick and weakest
The Pinky – for yourself
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7
STATION 5:
SPIRITUAL EYES
Ask God to open your spiritual eyes that you might see Him more clearly. Don’t be blinded by the bright light and the honking of horns as life passes you by on the freeway of life. Tell Jesus you want to see Him in everything, both the good and the bad. As He opens the eyes of your heart, you will find yourself calling Him Friend.
Look for Jesus in the good and the bad today.
(From Bloom Where You’re Planted “Spiritual Blindness”, MaryRodman.com)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Enjoy listening to “Christ Be All Around Me” by Leeland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2n7KAihfBY
STATION 6:
SILENCE
Dear God,
Speak gently in my silence. When the loud outer noises of my surroundings and the loud inner noises of my fears keep pulling me away from you, help me to trust that you are still there even when I am unable to hear you. Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:28-29. Let that loving voice be my guide. Amen.
STATION 7:
SINGING AND DANCING BEFORE THE LORD
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1
“And David danced before the Lord with all his might.” 2 Samuel 6:14
“Our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29
Just sing praise to our God! Listen to “Every Praise” by Hezekiah Walker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuuZMg6NVeA
STATION 8:
KNEELING PRAYER
Kneeling in prayer shows a posture of repentance and humble reverence, while entering into prayerful dialogue from a place of submission, honour, and respect.
Focus on these verses as you pray:
“Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:18
” Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12: 11
STATION 9:
ACTS PRAYER
A–Adoration: Praise God for who He is. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised…” Psalm 48:1a
C–Confession: Confess your sins to God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
T–Thanksgiving: Thank God for what He has done. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
S–Supplication: Request God’s help for yourself and others. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Enjoy listening to “Majesty” by Leeland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecv0ugxTaVw
It is our hope that, as you have prayed around the pond here at Camp Shalom, you have felt God’s presence in a special way. You have taken the time to go to the Source of all comfort, healing, guidance, wisdom, and power. Your relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, is the key, and knowing that He loves you and has His very best for you should give you peace—Shalom.
Tim & Sharon Partridge
“Prayer is the opening of the heart so we can receive all these good things that God has for us every day. It’s like sitting down at a table that God has prepared for us. He says, ‘I have everything you need today—all the grace, all the wisdom, all the provision that you need—but sit down at the table and eat. Don’t be so rushed and so busy and try to live without My supply.'”
Jim Cymbala