There are many ways to prepare for Vacation Bible School (VBS). Prayer is an obvious one. Prayer walking offers every church member an opportunity to lay an intentional, strategic spiritual foundation for ministering to children.
Pray in every room, hallway, classroom, doorway and outdoor space used by your church. Prayer walking turns preparation into worship as the Holy Spirit reminds us that VBS is far more than an event. It is a ministry of the church and one of its largest evangelistic outreach opportunities.
Prayer walking is a communal activity that creates a meaningful experience not only for the church family, but also for individual families as parents, grandparents, and children pray and laugh together. It is important to ask our Heavenly Father to bless every person who steps onto the church campus.
The following eight suggestions are offered as a guide as you navigate your facility. Customize the list to your unique situation. Areas to pray for include:
Check-in and welcome areas: Pray that every family feels seen, loved, safe, and warmly welcomed from the moment they arrive. Pray for safety over parking areas during arrival and dismissal. “The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in” (Psalm 121:7-8).
Doorways and hallways: Pray for peace, order, safety, smiles, and kind words of welcome. Pray for joy, excitement, and eagerness in every child and worker and teacher who comes to VBS. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1).
Worship center: Pray that children’s hearts will be open to the gospel as it is shared throughout each day. Pray the Scripture for the week takes root in their hearts and minds so they will experience the joy of worship and respond to Jesus freely. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please” (Isaiah 55:11).
Classrooms: Pray for the children to bond quickly, for teachers to be filled with wisdom, patience, clarity, and a love for the children and God’s Word as they teach. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5).
Craft, music, and snack spaces: Pray for creativity, fellowship, joy, and moments of biblical truth throughout every activity. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).
Playgrounds, parking lots, and all outdoor areas: Pray for physical protection, good weather, properly functioning equipment, smooth transitions between activities, and strong, focused volunteer coordination. Pray for alertness, gratitude, and expectation for what God will do during VBS. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).
Every volunteer and leader: Pray for good health, endurance, unity, the filling of the Holy Spirit, and a true servant’s heart. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
Every child and family: Pray for many to receive Christ as their Savior and Lord, for spiritual growth, encouragement, and lasting fruit beyond VBS. Pray that nothing will hinder children from coming to Jesus during the week of VBS. “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
And here are a few additional thoughts to enrich your prayer walks:
- Read Scriptures aloud individually or in unison.
- Share with volunteers and church members the names of children for daily prayer and during the hours of VBS.
- Pray against distractions, sickness, and harmful forces of any kind.
- Pray that your church will shine brightly in the community for Christ, allowing his kingdom to come and his will to be done, so many will come to Christ. “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16).
- Ask the children prayer walking with you what they would like to pray about.
Prayer walking is an effective, interactive, multigenerational opportunity for churches to cultivate the soil in which countless gospel seeds will be planted during VBS.
Nancy Duggin is a prayer catalyst for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. This article originally appeared in the Baptist & Reflector.
