[This resource was updated in 2024 with refreshed poster designs]

These prayer stations were prepared for the Tearfund Students' conference "Journey" and are themed around the idea of preparing for the journey of your life. All the instruction sheets and extra print-outs are available above as downloads.

Journey Response stations

Compass

• Need - compass(es) and magnet(s)
• sheets with compass printed on and pens

"Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life.
I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way,
I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road.
I don't want you ending up in blind alleys,
or wasting time making wrong turns." Prov 4:10 MSG

Do you know where you are headed? You may not know a location, but what is God setting as your 'true North' - the direction that he has planned for your life?

Take a sheet and write your 'true North' at the top. If you are not sure listen to God in quiet for words of direction.

What distracts you from where you are supposed to be going?

Play with the magnet around the compass - watch how an attractive object can pull you off course.

What are the 'magnets' around you? Write those down around your compass, and ask God to give you strength to resist temptation and distraction.

Luggage

• Need - rucksacks filled with heavy things

"Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matt 11:29-30 MSG

What are you carrying on your journey. Is your burden a God-given one, or an ill-fitting one?

Pick up a rucksack. Think about the weight. What is dragging you down at the moment - guilt? worry? fear? other people's problems? the past? the future? expectations? Talk these things through with God.

Jesus promises to give you a burden that fits well and to carry it with you. Take off the rucksack. Receive Jesus' freedom.

Map

• Need - world map. Candles. Lighter. Post-its. Pens.

"By your words I can see where I'm going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I've committed myself and I'll never turn back
from living by your righteous order." Ps 119:105 MSG

Where in the world have you been?

Where in the world is God leading you?

Reflect on the world map.

What places are on your heart right now? Light a candle, and write a prayer for the places God has given you his heart for.

If the location of your future life and ministry is unknown to you, ask God to help you trust him to be 'the lamp to your feet', not showing the whole journey but the next steps.

Provisions

• Argos, IKEA, Technology, Car and other catalogues
• Credit-sized cards with extract from Matt 6:25-34

'He [Jesus] commissioned them to preach the news of God's kingdom and heal the sick. He said, "Don't load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave."' Luke 9:2-4 MSG

What is the 'stuff' you think you need for life?

Flick through the catalogues. Tear out the stuff that catches your eye.

Talk to God about what you want and what you need.

Exchange the things you've ripped out for one of the cards where God promises to provide for you. Put the card in your wallet, and ask God to help you seek first his Kingdom and to trust him that he will provide abundantly.

Walking boots

• A collection of shoes, including slippers, flip-flops, trainers, party shoes and walking boots
• Address-label stickers and pens

"Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet." Eph 6:15

'How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"' Is 52:7

How ready are you to tell others the good news of Jesus?

What 'gospel shoes' are you wearing:
comfortable slippers - do you need to go out of your comfort zone?
fast trainers - do you need to slow down to allow time to share your faith?
flip-flops - is your faith robust enough for the long haul?
party shoes - are you ready to get your feet dirty?
or some other footwear?

Take off the shoes you are wearing and lay them before God. Ask him to fit you with the shoes that will make you ready to share your faith in all kinds of circumstances.

Write the Isaiah verse on a sticker, and stick it inside your shoe, to remind you of your calling to share good news.