Walking is an everyday action, and for many, so is praying.

A group of eight locals, are now combining the two, and in the South American nation of Ecuador, no less.

“It’s called a prayer walk,” said Eugene Meadows, pastor of Red Oak Baptist Church and one of the eight missionaries and a member of the Covington Baptist Association. The group left Friday for a six-day trip to the South American country.

“We’re going to bring the Christian message to the people of Ecuador, where ever we may find them — in the streets, in the homes — it doesn’t matter,” Meadows said.

Prayer walking is the practice of praying on location, a type of intercessory prayer that involves walking to or near a particular place while praying. Some people believe that being close to a location allows them to “pray nearer to pray clearer.” Prayer walks are taken by individuals, groups and even whole churches. In this case, the Covington County group will be followed by a medical team working to provide basic medical care to the people in the Andes mountains.

“We’re going to be going to various places throughout the region,” Meadows said. “We’ll be praying ahead of the medical team. We’re very excited to be able to go into a new culture and share information about our culture and the things that make us different.

“Our basic message is that God loves all of us,” he said.

Prayer walks can be as short as a block or as long as many miles, Meadows said. The idea is to use the five senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch — to increase the intercessor’s understanding of prayer needs.

The group will board a van this morning and travel through several towns, he said.

“From what I understand, we’re going to meet with church officials and pray,” he said. “From there, we will go to various places in the community and hopefully into some of the homes. Our goal is to reach others with the message of Christ.

“We’re going to walk and pray and see where God leads us,” he said.

Those who will join Meadows for the prayer walk are Betty Johnson, Billy and Wanda Barnes, Misty Williamson, Carrie Fore, Meredith Beck and Sharon Pate.