by Melissa Sharp
After our Saturday morning group run/power walk, I posted a photo online and asked, “Where did everyone else get in their steps?” Later, my husband and I received a message from our friend Jeremy. He said, “We went to the low water crossing today. I did my morning walk separately—I did a little over an hour of prayer-walking this morning. When I got back, I found out one of my big prayers had been answered before I finished my walk.”
Don’t you just love that? Jeremy didn’t even tell us what the prayer was—but it didn’t matter. The testimony was powerful. His simple walk turned into an encounter with God, and before he even finished, the Lord had moved. That’s more than just exercise. That’s prayer in action. That’s REAL power walking.
Jeremy’s story reminds me of King Hezekiah. When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent messengers to mock God and threaten Jerusalem, Hezekiah had every reason to panic. Instead, he went straight to the temple and spread the letter before the Lord.
“And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: ‘O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God… Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.’” Isaiah 37:15–20
Hezekiah’s prayer wasn’t polished. It wasn’t long. But it was real. He took his fear, his problem, and his enemy straight to the only One who could handle it. And God answered. Isaiah 37:21 says that night, the Lord sent Isaiah an answer, which began: “Because you have prayed to Me…” That night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 enemies in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib returned home humiliated and was later killed by his own sons. Jerusalem was spared. All because one man prayed.
But what if Hezekiah had NOT prayed?
God made it clear that victory came because he prayed. If he had stayed silent, Jerusalem would have been conquered. His prayer changed history. This should stop us in our tracks. How many victories remain unclaimed because we never prayed for them? How many blessings stay locked away because we never asked? Or, we ask for a reason—which does not glorify God? Scripture is full of reminders:
- “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss that you may spend it on your own pleasures.” James 4:3
- “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Matthew 7:7
- “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16
Prayer is a weapon to accomplish the greatest achievements for God’s glory. But a weapon only works if you use it.
So, who or what will you pray for today?
Think of the challenges you’re facing—the fears, the broken relationships, the medical needs, the financial struggles, the spiritual battles. Have you spread them out before the Lord like Hezekiah did? Or are you carrying them on your shoulders, trying to manage them alone?
And don’t forget about others. Intercede for your spouse, your children, your church, your nation. God is still looking for people who will cry out to Him and tap into the power of prayer. He will show us His glorious power.
Remember Jeremy. A simple walk became a prayer walk, and God answered before he finished. Your prayer could be the turning point—for you or for someone else. Don’t leave God’s victories in your life unclaimed.
Reflection Thought
Prayer is the difference between fighting your battles alone and watching God fight them for you.
Final Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our prayers matter. Forgive us for the times we have stayed silent when we should have cried out. Teach us to be people of prayer who bring every need, every fear, and every battle before You. Strengthen our faith to believe that You hear us and that You act. Let us be known as those who call on the name of the Lord and see Your hand move. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Happy running, or…power-walking!
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
