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I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. I Timothy 2:1,2

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7

A neighborhood constantly experiences crimes of violence. Certain parts of a community are known for pornography and sex related businesses. A nation seems to fight a never-ending war against poverty and disease. Are these all coincidences or results of sin visited upon a land and its people? How can we find out? And how can we bring revival and transformation to our cities and nations? The purpose of spiritual mapping is to diagnose the obstacles that stand in the way of revival in a community. It is a tool for seeing our communities as they really are, not as they appear to be. “Spiritual mapping is superimposing our understanding of forces and events in the spiritual domain onto places and circumstances in the material world.” George Otis, Jr., The Last of the Giants, pg.85 Spiritual mapping helps us to “see” things that were previously undetectable to our human eyes.

Spiritual mapping involves studying the history of a location. As historical notes are gathered, sin gateways can be identified that have allowed demonic assignments to enter. As these assignments become rooted in a community, sin also becomes rooted in a community. Growth of sin can then be traced and the resulting fruit identified.

For example, one of our neighboring communities was known during the 1800’s as a place for drunks and outlaws. It was a pretty wild and notorious town. Over the years the community became more civilized until it became the county seat. However, the original sin gateways of drunkenness and wild parties continued to flourish through the activities of the college kids at the local university. When their festivities were canceled, a new dimension of this “drunken party” spirit rose up. A Mardi Gras celebration ensued which has become known as the largest Mardi Gras on the west coast. The city recently erected a statue of the god Pan, known for his orgies and drunkenness, which has only affirmed and entrenched this “drunken party” spirit over the town.

In addition, a historical study will reveal the redemptive purposes of a community. God has a plan and a purpose for each community, which we call redemptive purposes. For example, in studying the origin and history of Atascadero, we found the following redemptive purposes for Atascadero, the town where we live:

The Redemptive Purpose of Atascadero is to be a city of refuge releasing rivers of living water. This can be broken down into the following prayer objectives for Atascadero:

* A place from which the River of God flows.
* A place where the refining fire of God is felt.
* A place of revival.
* A community of church unity and the spiritual government of the city pastors.
* A cultural center of creativity and the Arts.
* A place of civic unity, humility, prosperity and generosity.
* A multi-cultural gathering place.
* City scriptures are: Psalm 107; Zephaniah. 3:5-20; Psalm 63:4,5 and Psalm 64:10

Spiritual mapping provides valuable clues to intercessors as they begin praying for their community. Once sin gateways are recognized, Christians can begin to move in identificational repentance and intercession to help to close them. Redemptive purposes can be “prayed into existence.” A new spiritual climate can be placed over the community that allows for more evangelism and spiritual renewal among the inhabitants.

For more information on spiritual mapping we recommend the Equipped For Deliverance material in our Bookstore and Informed Intercession by George Otis, Jr. available at http://www.sentinelgroup.org. This site also offers more information on spiritual mapping and community transformation.

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© 2003 by Susan Gaddis