Prayer Journeys Guidebook

Prayer Journeys  Pocket Guide

© 1999, North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Alpharetta, Georgia All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. © 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Prayer Journey Guide

Crossover Atlanta, June 11-16, 1999

 Prayer Journeys expand the idea of prayerwalking to include evangelistic field teams and support teams. This guide provides suggestions for specific prayer between and at each of the fourteen prayer station signs located around Centennial Olympic Park.

This entire route will take field teams about one hour. Please feel free to adapt the distance and amount of time. The route has been designed so there are no stairs and numerous places to sit, pray, rest and cool off. Support teams may stay in the tent, the counseling pavilion or the convention center prayer room. Pray for the field teams, SBC sessions, and evangelistic events.

We recommend traveling in teams of 2-3 people. This route has been designed mainly to walk, pray and share Christ. Walk slowly with eyes open and heads up. Pray aloud softly or privately. You may choose to expand the Prayer Journey by driving, biking, skating or taking MARTA to pray for businesses, communities and pedestrians that you meet.

Divine encounters: Pick up some witnessing booklets and response cards outside the prayer tent or counseling pavilion. Be sensitive to divine encounters that God may place in your path. As the spirit leads greet someone and say "We are out praying for Atlanta today, is there anything we can pray with you about?" Most people will say yes. Then say, "It sounds like you believe in prayer, would you say you are a follower of Jesus or are you still in the process?" If they say they are still in the process, ask if you can share the process that brought you to faith in Christ. Share your testimony and the witnessing booklet. Fill in the response card to allow follow-up. Pick up some witnessing booklets and response cards outside the prayer tent or counseling pavilion. Be sensitive to divine encounters that God may place in your path. As the spirit leads greet someone and say "We are out praying for Atlanta today, is there anything we can pray with you about?" Most people will say yes. Then say, "It sounds like you believe in prayer, would you say you are a follower of Jesus or are you still in the process?" If they say they are still in the process, ask if you can share the process that brought you to faith in Christ. Share your testimony and the witnessing booklet. Fill in the response card to allow follow-up.

Station 1. .

The Prayer Journey begins at the Prayer tent in Centennial Olympic Park. It is located beside the Inquiry pavilion near the corner of Baker and Techwood Streets (The opposite end from the Omni Hotel). A map of the Prayer Journey route is attached and on each of the Prayer station signs.

Read the station 1 sign and pray. What could happen if we prayed for and shared Jesus with every person in our community? "Pray unceasingly." I Thess. 5:17

Pray for personal holiness and for the fruit of the Spirit to characterize all that we say and do. Pray that God will use Arms Around Atlanta and Crossover to awaken the evangelistic passion of the pastors, staff, and congregations.

"The man who mobilizes the church to pray, will make the biggest contribution to world evangelism in history.—Andrew Murray"

Facing the "Prayer Journeys Station 1" sign and turn right. As you walk, pray for the Lord to cleanse you of any unrighteousness. Pray for each of the street performers who will be sharing Jesus here. Be sensitive for Divine encounters.

John 14:6b Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (NKJV) Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (NKJV)

Pray for those who are struggling to accept Christ or return to Him. Pray that Arms Around Atlanta and Crossover will be a catalyst for spiritual renewal in the churches.

"Pride, self-esteem, and self praise effectively shut the door to prayer."

Turn left, then right to prepare to cross the street. As you walk pray for people you see to repent from sin and seek the truth of God. Pray for each of the vendors. Pray for fearlessness and bravery to share Christ.

Station 3

Bible Study increases a passion for prayer. Luke 24:32 Cleopas said, "did not our hearts burn within us…while He [Jesus] opened the Scriptures to us?" (NKJV).

Pray for a renewed passion for Bible Study. Pray for the 20 Atlanta area churches preparing for block parties during the summer.

"More believers on their knees praying will result in more Christians on their feet evangelizing."

Cross the street and walk past the Olympic Ring fountains. Pray for people to accept Jesus as living water. Listen for what the Lord would bring to mind. Pray for Spiritual power to speak the truth in love.

Thanksgiving and praise create a desire to pray. King David wrote in Psalms 100:4 to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise.". King David wrote in Psalms 100:4 to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise."

Praise God for making Himself known to those who seek him. Pray for the sports clinics that will be held in Metro Atlanta June 14-17 at Iverson Park.

"Prayer and a holy life are one. They mutually act and react. Neither can survive alone. The absence of one is the absence of the other."

Walk to the right toward the walkway leading to the Amphitheater. Pray for God to encourage and empower the pastors and leaders attending the SBC. Pray for your pastor and leaders by name. Pray for each of your friends with thankfulness.

James 4:2b-3 and 5:16 shows why most prayer is answered no. "You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." And then "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (NASB). and 5:16 shows why most prayer is answered no. "You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." And then "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (NASB).

Thank God for telling us no when we ask for the wrong things. Pray for righteousness.

"When we pray, we must be ready to take action."

Continue past the amphitheater. As you walk, pray for the people sitting there. Pray for the Spirit of God to prompt them to seek Him. Pray for boldness to share your faith. Pray that believers will hunger and thirst for righteousness. Pray for the volunteers to fill the requests that have been made by the nine local associations.

Biblical prayer becomes contagious. Luke 11:1 to "teach us to pray" (like you prayed). Pray to be contagious in prayer. Pray for the 300 college students involved in evangelism projects June 12-19. Luke 11:1 to "teach us to pray" (like you prayed). Pray to be contagious in prayer. Pray for the 300 college students involved in evangelism projects June 12-19

God says, "Go!"

Turn right and walk across the front of the amphitheater. As you walk, pray based on what you see and hear. Pray for an international missionary and a foreign country that the Lord brings to mind. Pray for God to make a way for you to share the gospel.

Jesus prayed for unbelievers. In John 17:20 Jesus prayed, "Father, I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me" (CEV). In John 17:20 Jesus prayed, "Father, I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me" (CEV).

Pray for receptive and repentant hearts (Luke 8:5-12).

Pray for their spiritual eyes and ears to be opened to the truth of Christ (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

Pray for them to have God’s attitude toward sin (John 16:8).

"No Soul is ever been born into God’s Kingdom unless there has been prayer."

Turn left and exit the park. Then turn right toward the Chamber of Commerce. Pray for the construction workers and employees to have receptive hearts to the gospel. Pray for workers to enter the harvest. Pray for the local volunteers that will be doing door to door people search and evangelism.

Jesus shared the truth with unbelievers. In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, "The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost" (CEV).. In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, "The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost" (CEV).

Pray for someone who does not know Christ. Pray for the local churches launching new churches/ministries this summer.

"Pray as though everything depended on God; work as though everything depended on you."

At this point you may turn left, cross the street and walk up to the convention center. OR skip that segment, turn right and walk past the visitor’s center. Pray for the thousands of tourists that come through Atlanta and for the local churches to be able to provide evangelistic ministry. Pray for your church to have effective evangelistic ministry.

Jesus prayed passionately. Sometimes prayer is even more important than sleeping. In Luke 6:12 Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve. Sometimes prayer is even more important than sleeping.. Sometimes prayer is even more important than sleeping. In Luke 6:12 Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve. Sometimes prayer is even more important than sleeping.

Pray for response, events and follow-up during Hug Your City Day June 14. Many ministry and evangelism projects are planned for this day.

"If you can’t sleep, don’t count the sheep, but talk to the shepherd instead!"

From the convention center, return the way you came to the corner at the Chamber of commerce. Cross the street, turn left and walk past the visitor’s center. Pray for the Mayor of Atlanta, the council, police, and fire fighters to have spiritual eyes and ears opened.

Jesus prayed intentionally. Luke 10:2 "Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in" (CEV). Pray for area churches to effectively reach the lost. Luke 10:2 "Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in" (CEV). Pray for area churches to effectively reach the lost.

"Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men and women."

You may wish to enter the visitor center and café for some air-conditioning and a cool drink. Cross the street. As you sit or walk, pray for each of the vendors to hear the gospel and respond. Pray for the lost to have God’s attitude toward sin.

Jesus prayed intimately. Ritual prayer is exchanged for intimate prayer when believers learn to pray like Jesus prayed. Pray for people to become prayer coordinators in every association and every church.. Ritual prayer is exchanged for intimate prayer when believers learn to pray like Jesus prayed. Pray for people to become prayer coordinators in every association and every church.

John 15:7 Jesus said, "If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you (NASB)."

"The minister who does not earnestly pray over his work must surely be a vain and conceited man. He acts as if he thought himself sufficient of himself, and therefore needed not to appeal to God." –Spurgeon

Go straight toward the game board. Pray for spiritual wisdom as you grow in Christ. Pray for a revival to sweep Atlanta. Pray for your hometown. Pray for people to seek God for the answers to their struggles and fears.

Jesus prayed persistently. In Luke 11:9 Jesus said, "So I tell you, ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you" (CEV). In Luke 11:9 Jesus said, "So I tell you, ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you" (CEV).

Petition God to make us more like Christ in prayer. Pray for Atlanta to find the truth of Christ.

"Persistence in prayer brings believers to pray for what God wants. We always get a yes answer when we agree with God." always get a yes answer when we agree with God."

Turn right toward the statue. Pray to be involved in Christ’s work as pliable instruments in his hands. Pray that unbelievers will turn to the Bible for truth and comfort.

Praying for personal spiritual needs. Luke 22:42, (NASB) "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done." Luke 22:42, (NASB) "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done."

Pray for God’s will to be done in your life. For the Spirit to pour out on Metro Atlanta.

"Strength in prayer is grounded in humility."

This is a statue of the founder of the modern Olympics. Turn left behind the statue toward Baker Street. Pray for believers to kept in Christ’s name and character and not be led into temptation. Pray for the volunteers that share Christ at Olympic games.

Praying for believers. In Luke 22:32 Christ told Peter, "I have prayed that your faith would be strong" (CEV). Things to pray for believers: In Luke 22:32 Christ told Peter, "I have prayed that your faith would be strong" (CEV). Things to pray for believers:

Christ to send believers into His Harvest fields (Matt. 9:38).

Christ to guard and protect believers from the evil one (John 17:15).

Christ to sanctify (set apart) believers in the truth of God (John 17:17).

Christians to be where Christ is and join His work (John 17:24).

"What God initiates, God completes."

You have another option here. Continue toward Baker Street, exit the park, turn right and walk to the next gate. Turn right and stop before the Inquiry pavilion. OR Turn right and head back toward the Inquiry pavilion. Pray for unbelievers to be protected from the evil one that they may find Christ. Listen for what else the Spirit urges you to pray.

Jesus Prayed Specifically. Specific prayer includes: Specific prayer includes:

Praying for God to make a way for us to share the gospel (Col. 4:3),

Praying for others, for the power of the Spirit, and for God’s people (Eph 6:18),

Praying for kings and those in power to be saved (I Tim. 2:2-4),

Praying for spiritual awakening (2 Chron. 7:14).

"Pretense in prayer is talking to humans, rather than God."

Pray for wisdom and sensitivity for each of the volunteers who are sharing and praying with people. Pray for the Spirit of God to transform lives. Continue a lifestyle of praying unceasingly. Pray for every believer at the Convention and in your church to bear fruit. Pray for unbelievers to be released from the barriers that prevent their following Christ.

Take a few minutes to share with others in your group what you learned. What did the Lord teach you? What did you learn about praying on-site with insight?

As you conclude in Prayer, ask the Lord to help you to begin a lifestyle of praying unceasingly by taking prayer to the streets.