Across Britain in Prayer

The American evangelist DL Moody once said, “Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin-cursed earth have been men and women of prayer.”  

Prayer must underpin all our endeavours as we seek to build the Kingdom. Whether that prayer is silent, spoken out loud, private or corporate, it has great power as we come before Jesus intentionally and listen out for His voice. When we declare and truly believe that God is in charge, dedicate our land to Him and call upon the Spirit, mountains can move.  

One organisation that really puts this into practice is Across Britain. They co-ordinate and encourage, connecting faithful men and women of prayer to cover Britain with walks across boundaries and divides. They say: “Whoever you are, wherever you live, it’s time to get up and declare this land is God’s land – ask your church and the church next door to join in, ask your neighbours, friends – and let’s ask for God’s blessing right across Britain.”  

Tim Hall is the vicar of Highcross and Thundridge in rural Hertfordshire and a big fan of both praying and walking.  

‘It’s a vital part of missional community work. Often, we drive to our church and worship there, then drive back home again, forgetting that where we live is just as important as where we worship and that God is in both places. Getting out of the house and prayer walking your area helps to build relational bridges.’  

Prayer walking requires the minimum of equipment (a hi-vis, stout shoes and a waterproof coat cover most bases) and is the perfect way to partner with God in active intercession. Blending physical presence with spiritual engagement, it is an accessible way to build relationships with your community and call on the Lord’s spiritual authority.  

‘We often walk through a village, waiting on God, and He will put someone in our path. One day, my prayer partner and I drove past a village pub and felt called to go in. Lunch wasn’t available as there was a wake going on, but we struck up conversation with the barman and asked him what he believed. He said, “I’m an atheist now,” and we asked why. It turned out that several tragic things had happened in his life, he had asked why and no one could tell him. So he decided that the solution was to become an atheist. We spoke to him about relationships and Jesus, and how it’s not about answers but about trust and a real relationship. It was a great conversation that led back to the Bible. We prayed with him and said goodbye, feeling confident that God led us into that conversation and that we could leave it with Him.’  

Tim sometimes goes out prayer walking with others, sometimes alone. ‘You see things completely differently when you walk than when you drive. I know our village well, and yet when I went out to prayer walk on foot, I saw a whole group of houses down a narrow driveway that I didn’t know were there. God drew my attention to a noticeboard half-hidden in the hedge advertising a spiritualists’ meeting at the village hall. I thought, “That’s interesting.” I took it back to the congregation and we talked and prayed about it, because it was important how we worked out how to engage with their presence in our village. All of that came out of prayer walking and seeing things in a new way.’  

There is a real need for prayer walking in rural areas. As transport links dwindle, pubs and shops shut and communities’ needs increase, God’s incredible power and strength is more vital than ever before. Tim is encouraging about making a start.  

‘You can’t really get prayer walking wrong. It’s so simple. All you’re doing is going out for a walk and asking God to bless the area. Anyone can do that. Sometimes people feel nervous about talking to strangers and being lost for words. If you have taken the time to go out and bless an area, that’s good news and anyone you meet will be delighted to hear it. Try saying something like, “I’m from the local church and I’m asking God to bless the area. Can I ask Him to bless you?” Don’t think about it too much – just do it. If you go out in pairs, one of you can talk while the other prays. Remember that God is in charge.’  

For anyone who has limited mobility, a prayer walk down the street and back again can have a remarkable outcome. Listening for what the Holy Spirit wants to reveal and praying spontaneously is kingdom building activity. Whether someone is walking alone or with others, prayer walking is a way to saturate one’s community with God’s love and to align one’s heart with His purposes for the place you live.   

 Across Britain have an interactive map on their website.

Simply visit: across-britain.org.uk and log your prayer walk on the map to see how much of the country is being covered with this kind of missional prayer.

First published in MOSAIC Issue 19, May - August 2026