“I will meditate on your wonderful works.” Psalm 145:5
God is always present…but are you?
The journey of Arise:March begins with simply looking. As we walk, we ask Him to open our eyes to see our community through His eyes.
What catches your attention? It could be the vibrant laughter of children playing in a park, a bustling café where lives intersect, or the quiet struggle of someone sitting alone. Maybe you observe a neglected garden or a street corner that seems to whisper a need for transformation.
Looking requires intentionality. It’s about moving beyond the surface and asking, “What does God see here?” As we do, we begin to recognise the beauty of His creation and the areas longing for His healing touch. This step is about perceiving where gratitude and prayer are needed. It transforms an ordinary walk into a pilgrimage, filled with moments to praise God for what’s flourishing and to intercede for what needs renewal.
During Arise:March, this act of looking becomes part of a broader movement. As you walk, keep an eye out for Arise and 4 Point banners displayed by participating churches. These markers remind us that we’re not alone; every step we take joins a unified effort to seek God’s will for our communities.
To encourage others and track the impact, mark your route on the Arise prayer app. Each prayerful step contributes to a tapestry of faith across cities and neighborhoods, reminding us that God is always at work, even in the smallest details. Looking is the first step in connecting our hearts with His vision for the world.
How to Look During Arise
1. Observe with Purpose: Ask God to show you what He sees in your community.
2. Pray as You See: Turn what you notice into praise or intercession.
3. Join the Movement: Look for Arise banners and mark your route on the prayer app.
Listen: Hearing God’s Voice and Others’ Needs
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
After we look, it’s time to Listen. To God and to the people he so dearly loves around us. Let’s walk with Jesus as one would a friend and be attentive to what He is saying.
A Simple Act of Listening
Recently, at a local restaurant, I said to our waiter that
“Before I eat I like to pray; Is there anything I can pray for you about today?”
He gave us his prayer need (he wanted a new job!).
But what happened next touched everyone at our table. Later in the meal, he returned, visibly moved. “I just wanted to say…,” he shared, his voice soft with emotion, “how much it meant to me that you prayed for me.”
In that moment, we witnessed how a simple offer to listen and pray could open hearts and create meaningful connections.
This March you can simply put these prayer requests you discover into the Arise Prayer-Walk App/Website and we can all pray together.
● Hear God’s whispers about the places we’re walking through
● Join a group Prayer-walk and listen together
● Connect with people in deeper ways and discover their needs
● Ordinary encounters become sacred moments
How to Listen During Arise
As you walk practice these simple steps:
1. Inner Listening: Begin by quieting your own thoughts. Ask God, “What do you want me to hear in this place?” – perhaps a scripture will come to mind, or you will sense the Holy Spirit directing your thoughts or even speaking to you clearly.
2. Listening to People: Be attentive to the people you meet. A simple “I like to pray; Is there anything I could pray about for you?” can open remarkable doors.
3. Active Response: Use the ARISE Prayer-Walk app to share prayer needs you discover. Remember, when you input a prayer request, you’re connecting that need to hundreds of praying hearts across the city.
The Ripple Effect
Like that moment in the restaurant, we never know how a simple offer to listen and pray might impact someone’s life. Each conversation, each prayer, creates ripples of hope through your community. As we walk Sheffield’s or Rotherhams or The Peak District’s streets during ARISE March, we’re not just observers. We’re active participants in God’s work of transformation.
Love: Sharing Easter and Kindness
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
After looking and listening comes the step of love. Love is about putting your prayers into action. This Easter season, it could mean sharing the gift of Easter, an Easter egg with a Gospel message, an invitation to your church’s Easter service, or a handwritten card offering hope and Encouragement.
Love can also be shown through simple acts of kindness: helping a neighbour, supporting a local business, or just offering a smile and a kind word. These small gestures may seem insignificant, but they have the power to show people that they are seen, valued, and loved. Arise Sheffield’s is here to help you share your faith simply; This year we’re really excited to be partnering with 4 Points to help us share the Good News in a really simple way – keep your eyes open. We’ve got practical training and tools to help turn acts of kindness into moments of connection that reflect Christ’s love. Imagine the impact if every believer in Sheffield chose to love their neighbours in this simple way.
You can mark your steps of faith and love on the Arise App to encourage others.
How to Love During Arise
1. Love in Action: Share your faith simply by guiding others to Jesus through sharing the Gospel and your faith journey.
2. Simple Gestures: Help a neighbour, share hope, or offer a kind word to show Christ’s love.
3. Inspire Others: Use the Arise app to track and share acts of faith and love.
Every Step Makes a Difference
We Prayer-walk because every step matters. This is not just about covering ground; it’s about making every step count. When you walk with Jesus, you’re bringing God’s light to your streets, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. You’re partnering with Him to transform your community.
This March, as part of Arise Sheffield 2025, take the step. Walk your streets on your own and with others, walk with purpose, pray/for the people and places you see, and be ready to love boldly. Every step matters because every prayer, every act of kindness, and every conversation has the potential to make a difference.
So, where has God placed you? And how will you respond? Let’s look, listen, and love as we pray for Sheffield – one step at a time.