Deep Hikes: An Adventure to Fortify Faith and Hope...in the Driest of Conditions

FriDudes - Getting Real. Pursuing Truth.

Do you get away to pray? Pray for more than an hour straight? Deep Hike? Or prayer walk? Run? The MonDudes are going through Matthew right now. We read Matt 15 and Jesus getting away caught my eye. When times get tough, how often do you get away to pray and reflect? Get away as an adventure, whether that be in a boat or out into the desert, mountains, etc.?

Confession: as for me, definitely not enough. I'm better at SnapChat prayers (at least that's what I call them). I'm in contact throughout the day in bite size pieces. Lifting prayer requests and praises in the moment. Very rare for me to go even an hour in prayer. Even more rare to get away alone somewhere. Yet on a Saturday in May, I was up early, very early with excitement to get on the trail to something called Bear Creek Oasis (La Quinta, CA). Normally, I'm pumping tunes or podcasts through my headphones. Not this round. About 4+ hours of praying and listening and singing to God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.. Yes, even singing out loud. Not normally my vibe. Fortunately, I was alone.
The result. One of my most rewarding hikes ever! Physically, it was a tougher hike. Oh and my first rattle snake encounter! Safe and sound for both of us thanks be to God. 9.1 miles and about 1/2 of it a decent climb (about 2300 feet)...
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/bear-creek-oasis-trail
Spiritually, one of the coolest things I've done. 4 hours allows you to lift a lot of people by name. Think family and friends and all the Dude prayer requests. Phil 4: 6-8 while in motion. Eyes to see and ears to hear. Surrounded by some of God's masterpieces of beauty.
Here are a few pictures and observations...
https://www.fridudes.com/post/deep-hikes