24-7 Prayer Revolution
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24-7 PRAYER REVOLUTION Dear Friends and Partners in Prayer, We enter into a new year counting it a privilege once again to be partners in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus (Philippians 1:3–5), and enriched by your partnership in prayer. We continue to experience with you the power of prayer for this territory and our lives. It is evident as we travel across the territory that God continues to do new things in and through this great movement – The Salvation Army. As we enter into this new year, we enter with a renewed strategic vision. “Still Fighting” – rooted in the words of William Booth’s great “I’ll Fight” speech yet applied to the world in which we live – 150 years since The Salvation Army began in the East End of London. While there remains one dark soul without the Light of God – we will fight. We are an Army – an Army still fighting – and we recognise that our strength is in our lived experience of prayer. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul speaks of the need to put on the whole armour of God. He then goes on to write: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV). Always keep on praying! Let us use this prayer guide to mobilise us to pray without ceasing. The prayer requests and focused areas provide a launch pad to pray for a fresh moving of God across our territory and around the world. Let us be an Army that is constantly and consistently committed to prayer. Let 24/7 prayer be a normal part of our life and culture as we move into this new year and latter half of the first decade of the 21st century. What will you do to enable The Salvation Army to respond to God’s call to “always keep on praying”? I am excited to watch how we engage together in prayer and widen that circle of prayer warriors in these coming weeks. We are grateful for the provision of this prayer diary and pray as we unite our hearts in prayer across this territory – praying without ceasing, God will do in and through us “more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). Floyd and Tracey Tidd (Commissioners) Territorial Commander & Territorial President of Women’s Ministries Australia Southern Territory 24-7 PRAYER REVOLUTION When praying for corps Pray for the officers, local officers, soldiers, adherents and friends; the programmes; and community outreach. We want our corps to be relevant to the communities they serve, to meet the needs of their congregations, to help transform the communities they are serving and to bring about revival in their part of the Kingdom of God. When praying for social centres Pray for the managers, chaplains, staff and clients/residents. Change happens rapidly and often in these days, particularly in regard to government legislation, so we need to remember our friends as they negotiate these changes for themselves and for others. Many of those who use our centres are vulnerable and feel like their whole world is falling apart, and they may find it hard to trust others. Their needs are complex and often take time to resolve. So, as you bring these places and people before God, try to imagine what it would be like for you, then bring these feelings and longings before God. When praying for departments Pray for the head of department, staff, and officers, and that their business operations and ministry will be effective for the Kingdom. When praying for Salvationists serving in other territories Pray that they will know God’s love, peace and protection as He leads them in their ministry. When praying for other territories and regions Pray for those who live in other parts of our Army world—a world that is often impoverished and where persecution and oppression are part of daily life. Pray that their needs may be met and God will be their sufficiency at all times. Please Note: Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc. 2 24-7 PRAYER REVOLUTION Dear Friends, I am fully believing that this Territorial Prayer Diary will remind you of the power of 24-7 prayer. One of the greatest emphasis 24-7 prayer plays in our spiritual communities, as well as our communities of dwelling, is that it reminds us how vital the priority of prayer is. In short, it is talking to God and listening to His response and guidance. The 24-7 concept reminds each one of us that the Heavenly Father is available to respond 24 hours, 7 days of every week of every year. The goal in 24-7 prayer is to continue in prayer to reach every available person, at every available place, by every available ‘Spirit-led’ means at every available time. This relentless style of prayer is simple, profound, and extremely effective when it comes to responding to the requests and needs of colleagues, family, friends, the communities we live in and global issues. Once again I am extremely grateful to Major Donna Bryan for her patience in compiling this diary, and would ask that you join with me in expressing gratitude to her for supporting this vital ministry throughout the territory. Donna has received a new opportunity in ministry commencing in January, 2016. I leave with you a relevant Scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Be UNCEASING in prayer [praying perseveringly]” (Amplified Version). (Capitals added for emphasis.) Yours in Jesus’ Grace and Truth, Marney Turner (Major) Territorial Spiritual Life Development Secretary Evangelism and 24/7 Prayer Territorial Mission Resources Department 3 24-7 PRAYER REVOLUTION Week Commencing Sunday January 3 Brimbank City Community Church, The Salvation Army (Central Victoria) – Major Simon Damen & Lieutenant Kimberley Ashmore Praise Points: • Praising God in seeing many new families connect with our congregation from ministries and outreach at schools and band visits to Bunnings. • Praising God for our Mainly Music families who have connected into our Sunday worship and extended family at Brimbank. including First Steps/ Cradle Roll Enrolments. • Praising God that we are needing the messages translated into Chinese to assist and reach out to a wider and growing area of our community. Prayer Points: • Prayers for our Corps Leadership Teams and Ministry Team Leaders, soldiers and adherents as they continue to seek God and stand in the gap for our community, and strengthen the Kingdom of God. York (Western Australia) – Major Denise Ashby Barrington Lodge Aged Care (Tasmania) – Lieut Brynley Haycock Praise Points: • That new residents are settling in quickly, and making friends and feeling secure. • God for His provision in this centre. • To Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the witness carried by the faith-filled residents and staff. Prayer Points: • That new residents will feel the Vision, Mission and Values of The Salvation Army in action. • That staff will have a sense of purpose in what they do – not just see it as a job. • That programmes under the new corps officer will have significant spiritual impact upon the participants. Overseas and Exchange Personnel Japan Territory – Captains Daniel & Melissa Templeman-Twells Daniel – Training Officer, Training College Melissa – Corps Officer Koto Corps, Tokyo, & Territorial Youth Dept. General Change Please pray for officers and their families who are preparing to move to new appointments and new challenges. 4 Week Commencing Sunday January 3 USA Southern Territory – Commissioners Donald & Debora Bell Prayer Points: • Pray please that our officers recognize the incredible capacity of God our Father to deal with the issues we face, including provision of money, material and manpower needed to accomplish our mission. • Pray for victory! We want to see souls won. We want significant numbers of soldiers sanctified and serving. We want to see lives transformed in the communities where we are engaged. We want to be comfortable and confident that the weapons we have been given are effective against the enemy – including doubt and discouragement. St Kilda Crisis Services Network (State Social Command – Victoria) – Jenny Plant (General Manager), Major Lynda van Gaalen-Prentice (Chaplain) & Team Praise Points: • Upton Rd – edible gardens programme – utilising fresh produce from our gardens in our daily meals programme. • Education outcomes – our young people re-engaging and achieving success in education. • Our vibrant and diverse community of staff and clients across all CSN programmes. Prayer Points: • Guidance for our CSN staff to work professionally and compassionately to meet the needs of our service users. • Alleviation of the fear and anxiety experienced by our service users in relation to violence, poverty, health and homelessness. • That our young clients be kept safe and physically well. • That our CSN programmes promote hope and resilience, and assist our clients to overcome exclusion. Dates to Note: January 5–9 Summer Carnival (Territorial Youth Camp) ‘24-7 PRAYER REVOLUTION’ Weekly Scripture Meditation Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 5 24-7 PRAYER REVOLUTION Week Commencing Sunday January 10 Noarlunga Corps & Aldinga Mission Centre (South Australia) – Majors Glenda & Grattan Savage Praise Points: • Witnessing children enrolled as SAGALA members, all of whom are from families new to the Army.