On "Prayer Walking"

Note to Lutherans:  "Prayer Walking" was invented by those who belong to the "Word-Faith" (or, "Word of Faith") Movement (think of all the false teachers you see on TV, who exhort you to "name it and claim it" or "agree with God for your healing," etc.).  It was then adopted by more mainline Protestant denominations and has been especially targeted toward youth - you know, to give them something to do so that they feel like Christians.  Now, it is being promoted to our own Lutheran youth, as the following video has been added to the fare being shown at the LCMS National Youth Gathering taking place right now in New Orleans.

Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with praying.  We're all for that.  Pray often.  Pray, pray, pray, I say (hey, that rhymed!).  And, there is certainly nothing wrong with walking (Lord knows that some of us need to do a little more of that!).  And, there is not even a thing wrong with walking and praying at the same time, although there are certainly more focused ways to offer your petitions to the Lord.  But, when you promote what has become known as "Prayer Walking," you're promoting false theology.  Why?  Because this activity was invented by, well, false teachers, who, well, teach falsely about prayer.  To these false teachers, prayer is a way for the Christian to manipulate God to succumb to a given desire.  Not only that, but those who invented this activity believe, teach, and confess that God MUST succumb to your prayers, so long as you offer them in the right manner - oh, and with the right amount of faith, too (if God is not responding, it's because you have done something wrong, or because you don't have enough faith).  I could go on, but you get the picture.

The confused DCE in the video below has obviously been drinking from the poisoned wells of these false teachers.  I'm sure he means well, but watching him make his case for this activity just pains me as a Lutheran.  What he says is EXACTLY what the false teachers say.  He says that they "prayer walk" in his community for two reasons:  1) To assess the spiritual situation (you know, like the 12 spies did per Moses' instruction - except that, well, the spies were sent out to bring back intelligence which would aid the military conquest of the land; just sayin'), and 2) To take authority over, and posses, our territory (you know, like how God told Abraham to look all around and see the land he would be given - except that the land was to be given to Abraham regardless of anything he did, but by God's promise alone, and this DCE uses this to say that we need to serve God by spiritually taking possession of our territory for His glory - yep, straight out of the Word-Faith handbook - um, question:  Can WE take spiritual possession of our territory?).  He goes on to note that his church is sandwiched between two public schools and that, when those schools seek to implement things which would bring improvements (better teachers, better curriculum, more money, armed guards), his church just sends in prayer walkers.  He gives another example of drugs being sold by someone in an apartment across from one of the schools.  Principle and police try to fix the problem, but to no avail.  Answer:  We send in prayer walkers.  He ends by noting a variety of things for which the prayer walkers pray - all good things mind you (well, except that I wonder about praying for God to abundantly bless the two churches in close proximity to his - what kind of churches are these?  Should they be praying for God to abundantly bless these churches if they are false teaching churches?).  But, see, here's the deal:  "Prayer Walking" is not just about praying; it's about getting things done for God and to His glory.  It's about doing something about the spiritual condition of your territory.  It's about having the power to get things done in your territory where others lack the power to do so (you know, like those whose vocations, given by God, by the way, are to do those things).  It's treated as some special "ministry," the goal of which is to transform the territory into one in which God Himself would be proud to dwell.  Again, I could go on, but you get the idea.

So, to repeat, just so we're clear - Note to Lutherans:  "Prayer Walking" was invented by false teachers and is latent with their false teachings.  But, hey, don't take my word for it.  Google "Prayer Walking" and have fun reading what all the false teachers have to say about this activity.

It is very sad that this is being foisted upon our youth.  Here's the video on the NYG website: