Sex workers, satanists, pagans, atheists, witches, gay rights activists and curious onlookers mixed with more than 100 Christians from as far as Melbourne at controversial religious figurehead Daniel Nalliah's ''prayer offensive'' on Mt Ainslie.

What followed was an afternoon of prayer, exorcism, shouting, flag-waving and nudity.

Pastor Nalliah has been widely condemned for his views on homosexuality, his connections to Federal politicians and comments linking the tragic Black Saturday fires to abortion laws.

The prayer offensive, prompted by the discovery of an alleged black mass altar at the base of a communication tower, was touted by the pastor as both ''spiritual warfare'' and an attempt to save the nation from a repeat of the Victorian fires.

While it was inevitable the meeting was going to attract protesters, the scene which unfolded yesterday was almost stranger than fiction.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times