Every Step a Prayer: Walking as Spiritual Practice

by Thomas R Hawkins

While it's common knowledge that walking is good for physical health, many people may never have considered that walking is also good for their spiritual health. In this high-tech, fast-paced world, people long to slow down. Thomas Hawkins lifts up walking as a Christian spiritual practice that can help readers find their way to God. Each of the 6 chapters includes suggestions to help the reader experience prayerful walking. KEY FEATURES [[Instructions for walking meditation practices [[A chart to help organize the community and the congregation to incorporate a spiritual walk into a Bible study [[Small-group reflection questions

127 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2015

Reviews

[Joni Sensel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disappointing. I guess I should've known based on the press, but it's a shame this author didn't consider that he might have readers who don't identify as Christian -- even as a route to perhaps reaching them and drawing them in. There's so much in the concept that could've spoken to a larger audience, but this book is more Bible quotes and stories than anything useful about how to use walking as a route to mindfulness, a sense of spiritual presence, recognition of the Divine, or anything else of use unless you're already firmly in his particular fold.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small book (127 pgs) with an appealing message for those who consider themselves the contemplative type. Hawkins is a college professor and minister who strongly puts forth the idea that walking is a way of spiritually seeking answers when other ways may not work for you.

Sometimes answers come when we are in motion. Whether surrounded by nature or hidden in plain sight in an urban setting, he suggests walking is not only good for the physical body, but it also can provide a path to insights that are elusive. It reminded of an analogy I heard once of a parent who was sad when her child received their drivers license. It was easier to talk to her daughter in the car with their eyes looking at the road and they could talk about touchy subjects. All that ended with the new license.

So whether walking alone or with someone, including a pet, this is an avenue to consider for spiritual contemplation.

[George Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little book. I have since being diagnosed diabetic become a very faithful counter of steps each day. I saw this book advertised in the Upper Room catalog and thought I'd give it a try on my Kindle and read it on days when I was on the elliptical at the gym. I initially thought I'd hoped for too much from it, but as I continued to read it turns out to be a really wonderful consideration of walking as a means of developing our spirituality. The author engages a lot of biblical texts, shares a lot of great stories and gives you plenty to contemplate on your future walks. Also each chapter ends with some suggestions for how to explore the theme of that chapter in your walking. This would be a fun book to do with a group who wanted to walk and do some spiritual work at the same time.

[Mamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us pursue walking to increase our physical health. Hawkins helps us to link physical with spiritual health in this book. I appreciate how developing a sense of mindfulness can enable us to reach out to God, nature, each other and our understanding of our deepest selves. This book has truly helped me.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to refocus faithful people on moving faithfully forward with our feet. Good discussion questions for a covenant group or church school class.