Prayer Journeys are new to all of us. I have been working on guidelines for what to do on a prayer journey. Not all prayer journeys will be alike. Each team will have a different composition of gifts and personalities, and each in place God will have a different agenda. We should be careful follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit for each place. Caution: There is a fear and suspicion on the part of many of our missionaries and pastors that these things will give way to extremism or pentacostalism. I have alread received many cautions from leaders in the denomination that we want to be careful not to convey some of the abuses of the charismatic movements. Some are very leary of spiritual mapping, Vineyard metodology, glossalalia (tongues), etc.

This is not to say that we should hinder the Holy Spirit because of some men's fears. We are called of God to do God's work. But let us also be aware of the pitfalls and dangers of power encounters, and the spiritual warfare mentalities. Spiritual warfare will not always be understood by our own missionaries, or outside onlookers. We are not a pentacostal society but we nonetheless believe in the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit and that the gifts of the Spirit are for today. Let us be sensitive to abuses and fanaticism, but let us not deny the Spirit's right to do awesome things among us.

PREPARATIONS OFF SITE.

Spiritual Warfare Prayer Training Seminars

First, I would begin with strategic prayer warfare training using the seminars and study guides to effective worship and intercession (YWAM's training is excellent!). Each candidate should be careful to develop a consistant prayer life at least an hour a day of solitude before God 2-3 months prior to the trip. It would be good for the Alliance to develop our own disciplines for prayer journeymen. Seminars around the country (similar to the prayer summits) in key locations would be a wise way to develop prayer and spiritual warfare skills. It should be required as more teams are needed. (I have learned a YWAM type intercessory prelude and developed it into a 6x6, or 12 step intercessory program. The first six steps (at least three minutes each) leads us into the presence of the Lord using biblical steps of entering into the holy place. The second phase are six biblical points of intercession. It helps me and I think is useful for serious intercessors. It is a starting place.)

Prayer Walking

Second, I would begin prayer walking with a prayer partner around my own community to get the feel of it. Two or three times each week for 30 minutes the first week. 45 minutes the next week, and 1 hour the third week.

Prayer Partnerships

Third, I would ask each participant to gather a minimum of 3 (twelve would be nice) Aaron and Hurs who will interceed for me here while we are there. The team will need God's protection from the raging enemy as well. A round the clock prayer circle 15 minutes each involving the whole church would be nice. They will become the journeyman's intercessors behind the scenes. At the very least three prayer partners need to support each member in prayer during the waking and walking hours of the journey.

Prayer Retreats

Fourth, I would plan a personal prayer retreat during the month or (months) before going. This would involve a large block of time set aside to be alone with God in prayer, fasting, Scripture, and intercession. I have encountered some Catholics and Presbyterians who do a week long retreat of silence in which they speak to NO MAN, but God for 7 days. A great monastic concept!

Fasting & Prayer

Fifth, it would be essential to any serious intercessor involved in this kind of deliverance ministry to give himself regularly to fasting and prayer. Each man or woman is different and should learn their own body's strength and weaknesses, and discern how to best conduct their own fasts. Fasting is not easy. It requires determination and a learning curve that may take years to master. We should be forwarded, Jesus taught his disciples that some kinds of demonic forces do not easily respond to our authority or prayers. "This kind (this spicies) does not go out but by prayer and fasting." Note that it is not the fasting that changes things but the faith that is built by intimacy with God in these tristing places of the heart. Brethern, let us learn to give ourselves to fasting and prayer.

ON-SITE:

1. Pre-travel meeting: As you have wisely suggested. I think it needs to be two days at least of meeting of the team, paring of partners to watch each other's backs spiritually, some teaching on prayer walking principles, some revive or 1st time lessons in dealing with demonic possession, infestation, attacks, discernment of spirits, authority of the believer and authority of the intercessor. Also this should be a time in which the team gets to know each other's spiritual gifts, personalities, worship styl es, idiosycrasies, etc. This would be an ideal time to begin some short prayer walks together while here in the States.

2. Arrival: Practical orientation on Mali culture, expectations, health and eating habits, fasting, etc. Each should be encouraged, if not required, to do journaling throughout the trip. The trip layout and basic plan of attack should be fairly complete with room for divergence from the plan as the Lord should lead. Why are we here? What are we going to do? How are we going to do it? Where, when, with whom, for how long?

3. Daily Schedule: I would encourage a daily schedule that is rather consistent which would include, early morning private prayer, devotions together, mealtimes and places, group meetings, daily walking times and objectives, rest times, worship times, and free time. Everyone should be made aware of the discipline of the "regime" so as to minimize frustration and conflicting plans, desires and whims.

3. Missionaries: My assumption is that missionaries will not be able to suspend all other activities in order to accompany the team. There should be however an incorporation of the missionary and wives into the schedule of events so as to not be forced or to make the team the spotlight of a "bless-em" squad. A key ingredient of the team's ministry to the missionary families should be "What can we pray for, and how would you like us to pray FOR YOU PERSONALLY?" "What do you perceive as spiritual BATTLES within the mission ary staff?" "What do you perceive as spiritual STRONGHOLDS in the ministry around you?"

It is hoped that several missionaries would be assigned to be with and part of the team throughout the journey. This is not a them/us ministry.

4. Strategy: Praise and worship exalting Jesus among the nations should be the premminent theme, not the work of the devil. "...and I if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me." I believe that the STANDARD that the Spirit of the Lord will lift up against the floodgate of evil, is the cross and the blood of Christ. Care should be exercised in not fostering a spirit of a witch hunt. We are not devil hunting, nor are we picking a fight with the enemy! (Unfortunately some of the announcements of the prayer jo urney are leaving that impression.) Jesus ministry is our example. He never sought the enemy, but at the presence of the Lord the demons cried out...that is...they evidenced themselves. There is no hunting involved. It is both presumptuous and dangerous to shake a beehive that is not in your way. We deal with the enemy when we see him and his work.

5. Travel to and among the UPGs. Care should be taken to NOT call attention to ourselves. We are not the point, prayer is. Walk with the eyes, and ears of Jesus. "Let your heart break with the things that break the heart of God."

Early morning and cool-of-day prayer walks are most appropriate. It will be hot!!! Be careful about your intake of liquids. Each man should carry his own bottled water in the field. Drink lots.

Dress should be casual, wear comfortable shoes, consider a non-american hat to shade from the sun. Meet Christian nationals and pray with and for them. Pray for pastor's families in whose homes you may enter. Pray for the sick, lay hands on them as the Lord should impress it on you. Be gracious, uncomplaining, humble, unassuming. Pray in the gates of the cities and villages. Walk around the walls of the city as with Jericoh, without a sound. Find a high place, sit on a hillside overlooking the village, under a tree, beside a river, but be inconspicuous as you pray while looking over your Jerusalem. Weep over the lost. Claim the promises of God. Read Scripture aloud. How about some dirt in a small bottle, or ziplock bag, to take back home as a reminder to pray for that village the Lord lays particularly heavy on your heart.

Pray over, around and in churches. Weep for the mosques and the people who are entering in. Pray inconspicuously around those buildings and places of animistic worship. Let your heart be broken. Pray for men's darkened minds. Pray for miracles, visions and dreams. Pray for a hunger after God and righteousness. Take authority in prayer and through the blood of Christ over all the power of the enemy. Bind him, resist him, perceive and expose him. Make up a hedge, stand in the gap and hinder him. Be sensitive the the Spirit's leading in your prayers. Take long silences to listen to God speak to your heart.

The rest is pretty well set out in Life Changing Encounters and Prayer Journeys. God will give you wisdom. "Likewise the Spirit helps our infirmities (weaknesses), for we know not what we should pray as we ought but the Spirit himself prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed. And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercessions according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27