Day 2 (6.2.08) A406 to Stratford

In 2006, on my first longish walk - from Whitby to York - and after we had left Castle Howard, there was a section of road through some shooting ranges where the sun beat down on my head and the tarmac road glistened before me. It was a time when I could see no one in front of me and no one immediately behind. I sensed that if I walked this road with the Lord, he would break up concrete in my life, leaving me at the margins - reliant on him. Not comfortable! All along that three mile stretch, my face burned in the heat while I bellowed his name at the trees! Fortunately, no one could hear me!

This prayerwalk outworks some of that shift and as I began today’s walk down busy Leyton High Road, a ley line, from the A406 junction towards Stratford, there was a profound echo in my spirit that more concrete needed to be broken up. This time it wasn’t my concrete but as I laid each step on the pavement, my weight reinforced a spiritual impact with extra strength and force. I knew I would have to battle my way through this day with little relief - carrying someone else's load.

Thankfully, I received two encouraging texts almost immediately – both from people praying for me as I walked. I took it as a sign God knew. Thanks guys! You know who you are and I’m looking forward to walking with you.

Peeking into flats surrounding me I could see rubbish and wet floors, creating a sense of degrading poverty and the phrase “strangers in a strange land” came to me. I was reminded of what the Lord said to the Israelites in Leviticus 19.33: “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not ill treat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” How did these aliens feel in our strange land?

The presence of strangers was confirmed because for at least one whole mile down Leyton High Road, I heard only two voices in English and they were arguing! However, there were Polish, Czech, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and other eastern European languages I couldn't identify. I prayed for wisdom and discernment for the churches and the people of God in the area.

Ray waited at convenient spots along the route, notably the petrol station below where we had a cup of tea before I continued walking down to Stratford. (What is it about tea when you're walking? It tastes so special!)

Checking out my bearings with a Polish workman who spoke excellent English (bless him) I found I was opposite the Olympic stadium and shopping centre site, currently a huge mound of earth crawling with gigantic lorries - the other side of the railway line. Skipping between the cars to pray there, I called for the presence of God to be on the site and took a picture through the fencing (see right).

Arriving at Stratford Station, I prayed around it. It's a significant gateway for the arrival of the Olympics (it was one of the places people congregated to celebrate in 2005). There are various pointers there to the importance of its gateway location – in the right hand picture you can see the time spiral but there is also the accessibility of the Olympic stadium itself and, again in this picture and on the left hand side below, a redeveloped bus and train station.

Yet, my view is, the whole location seems rather inadequate for a global event. I don't know what I expected it to look like.

The symbols around the time spiral spoke to me of time being tied up and unable to move forward as if everything in London waited for 2012. Not a pleasant feeling...

Quite a short walk – 5.2 miles – but it had been hard going on this one – glad it’s over now but equally, so glad I did it! I love London as much as I love Essex and treasured the opportunity to walk through one of its more challenging areas.