CONFERENCE

If the heads-bowed, eyes-closed appeals to God seemed too bland at National Day of Prayer gatherings on Thursday, then Christians itching for a saber-rattling fight against Satan may be attracted to a May 15-17 conference in Van Nuys on what advocates call spiritual warfare.

A conference brochure promises to teach how “repentance uproots the enemy” (Satan) and “how to identify and destroy strongholds” (of the demonic). One talk is titled: “You Can Be a Winner in the Invisible War.”

C. Peter Wagner, author of the “Prayer Warrior Series” books and a Fuller Theological Seminary professor, is convening the third annual Conference on Prayer and Spiritual Warfare at Church on the Way, 14300 Sherman Way. Wagner will open the meeting with a talk at 8:30 a.m. May 15 and close with another at 3:45 p.m. May 17.

Evening speakers on May 15 and 16 will be the Rev. Ted Haggard, pastor of the 4,800-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Cindy Jacobs, the Texas-based president of Generals of Intercession. For further information, call (800) 337-2334.

Wagner and Haggard both head ministries that will be based in a new World Prayer Center north of Colorado Springs, expected to be finished by next year.