Before leading the people of Israel into the promised land of Canaan Joshua sent 2 spies to secretly explore the land (including City of Jericho). When they relayed back to the Israelites how God had delivered them on their mission and how the inhabitants were scared of them because God was with them, hearing of His deliverance from the Egyptians (Red Sea), His defeat of the Amorite kings, the people were greatly encouraged. Their faith was greatly strengthened (Joshua 2:1).
When the people of Israel finally conquered the land, Joshua sent out 3 men from each of the different tribes to map out the whole country to help resolve which areas of the promised land each tribe would possess (Joshua 18:4).
In Moses time some of those who explored the land believed God, believed that He could overcome any opposition/threats, the enemy, so that they could possess the land/fulfil their destiny. However others were fearful, did not trust God, did not view the land from God’s perspective, did not see what was possible through faith.
Part of spiritual mapping is allowing God to open our eyes to see our City as He sees it. This is by a process of researching local history and current issues in a spirit of prayer. There may be some Christians amongst your local church network that have particular gifts in gaining spiritual insights, discernment. Prayer-walking can also be a valuable tool.
What God sees, includes obstacles to our City being transformed. Transformed in a similar way to what we have seen with other cities in the Transformation videos. Obstacles could include where Satan exerts thestrongest influence, where there is resistance to the spreading of and acceptance of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. No-one can break into astrong man’s house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up thestrong man; then he can plunder his house (Matthew 12:28).
Spiritual mapping helps the intercessors/pray-ers understand what God’s prayer priorities are at a given point in time, provides insights into how to pray, helps them receive prayer burdens from the Lord to be prayed through. Spiritual mapping helps sustain the momentum of City-wide prayer networks.
Spiritual mapping is not an end in itself but rather something that inspires and facilitates united prayer to transform and bless our cities and local communities. Prayer that strengthens Christ-centred households (includes households of one), increases the number of Christ-centred households, which leads to Christ-centred streets, which leads to Christ-centred suburbs, which leads to Christ-centred cities and when we have enough of these the City of Greater Melbourne will have been transformed !
In the City of Kingston in which I live, a spiritual mapping group has been operating for about 21 months now, chaired by Bob Flavell (Christ Church Dingley). Bob also has involvement with Intercessors for Melbourne. Members of our mapping group over time have included representatives from all different tribes ie Anglican, AOG, Baptist, Catholic, CRC, Independent, Salvation Army.
One of our tasks has been to develop regular monthly Kingston prayer-points, including those that are suburb-specific. These are published in a monthly Kingston Prayerforce Newsletter which is used at the various prayer meetings held throughout the City where Christians from all the different churches come together in united prayer. This started as a combined monthly prayer gathering and this still continues, but has also grown to separate night and day monthly prayer meetings for churches in the north of Kingston as well as night and day monthly prayer meetings for churches in the south of Kingston.
I am aware that some spiritual mapping has gone on in the City of Monash, Intercessors for Melbourne have been involved in spiritual mapping to varying degrees in different parts of Melbourne, Youth With A Mission has been active in this area. Outside of Melbourne there is Victoria’s longest-running Transformation initiative in Pray Bendigo, where Rev John Steele would be a valuable source of information on spiritual mapping. Bendigo churches have received assistance from Brian Pickering (Sydney-based) from the Australian Prayer Network. Brian has also facilitated a similar initiative with Greater Geelong churches, including spiritual mapping.
This of course will not be the sum total of all recent spiritual mapping activities in Melbourne. So it would be good to hear about where else the kingdom of God is growing facilitated by spiritual mapping ? The Transforming Melbourne website could be a valuable resource in helping those of us interested in spiritual mapping to network better.
So if you have any questions, information/news to share or simply interested in spiritual mapping or perhaps in developing a local prayer network, please email me
…Your kingdom come to our city, Your will be done in our city, As it is in heaven…
Come, Lord Jesus Come
Gary Cuthell
St John Vianney, Parkdale
Kingston Prayerforce