PrayerJuly–December Diary 2013 An Image of Revival he hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” TSo I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, AN EXCEEDINGLY GREAT ARMY. Ezekiel 37: 1–10 (New King James) Praying Revival Dear Friends, With this diary we enter into a new season and a great opportunity to PRAY. Praying for one another as we focus upon individuals, programmes and places throughout the territory and beyond. The theme for this diary (July–December) is very close to my heart because it is close to the Heart of God … this theme is: “PRAYING REVIVAL”. The essence of “REVIVAL” is seen as an AWAKENING – A REVITALIZATION; a return to former glory. The Church, the Bride of Christ in REVIVAL shakes off its slumber and once again is reanimated, ALERT to these days of GOD OPPORTUNITIES. As you PRAY, meditate on Romans 13:11–12. “But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day by day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and AWAKE to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work He began when we first believed.” The Message//Remix (capitals added for emphasis) Our praying will, I believe, bring refreshing REVIVAL, certainly to ourselves and indeed to our nation. Thank you for your faithfulness and passion for PRAYER … Please Keep Praying for REVIVAL! Yours in His Service in Grace and Truth, Marney Turner (Major) TERRITORIAL SPIRITUAL LIFE DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY Evangelism & 24/7 Prayer Territorial Mission Resources Department PRAYING REVIVAL Praying Revival 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 is part of daily life. Pray that their needs may be met and God will be their sufficiency at all times. Every effort has been made to ensure correct details of personnel at the time of printing. 2 Praying Revival 3 Praying Revival Week Commencing Sunday July 7 Northcote (Melbourne Central) – Major Denise Milkins Praise Points: • Committed corps folk with a vision for reaching out into the community. • A growing ‘Mainly Music’ ministry. • The ministry of ‘the Shed,’ which brings many people into our facility each week. Prayer Points: • Opportunities to build relationships with ‘the Shed’ customers. • Development of family ministry. • More volunteers to help with ‘the Shed.’ • For increased outreach and relationship building with local people. • A time of stability for the corps leadership. Seaforth Gardens Aged Care Facility (Western Australia) – Hannah Anderson, Major Patricia Willhelme & Team Aged Care facility with independent living, hostel care and nursing care – 61 beds in total. Lentara “Dawning of the Day” Hostel (Western Australia) Lentara Men’s Hostel is a short-term crisis/transitional supported accommodation service for single men aged 18 and over, who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. The hostel has been in operation since June 1978, is situated in East Perth and is close to all services. The hostel’s aim is to: • Assist residents to achieve the maximum possible degree of self-reliance and independence through the • Development of life and social skills, which will • Prepare the residents to live in independent living within the wider community. Communications & Fundraising Department (Territorial & Divisional Headquarters – Major Neil Venables, Bruce Redman & Teams Overseas and Exchange Personnel Japan – Captains Daniel & Melissa Templeman Twells 4 Week Commencing Sunday July 7 High Council The Chief of the Staff, Commissioner André Cox, has summoned members of the High Council to meet on 29 July 2013 for the purpose of electing the 20th General of The Salvation Army. All leaders who are commissioners on active service or who are territorial commanders or territorial presidents of women’s ministries of whatever rank qualify for membership of the High Council. This High Council will be the largest in the history of The Salvation Army. There will be 118 members – 64 women and 54 men – with an average age of 59. Fifty-four will be attending a High Council for the first time. Twenty- six have appointments in the Americas and Caribbean Zone and 24 in the Africa Zone. The South Pacific and East Asia Zone supplies 21 members, Europe 18 and South Asia 15. Fourteen commissioners from International Headquarters complete the total of 118 members. In the three weeks leading up to the High Council please pray for wisdom and discernment in all aspects of the election of our new General and for those preparing to attend this High Council. Dates to Note: July 7 Divisional/Interstate netball/basketball carnivals Melbourne Central Division, Tasmania Division Scripture Meditation Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 5 Praying Revival Week Commencing Sunday July 14 Oakden (South Australia) – Captain Joel Clifford Prayer Points: • That our church will be able to reach out into our community and share the gospel. • To continue to connect people from our playgroups into our worshipping faith community on Sundays. • That we will follow where God is leading us. Asylum Seekers Support Service (Melbourne Central) – Majors Karen (manager) & Colin Elkington (chaplain) & Team The Salvation Army Asylum Seeker Support Services opens three days a week to help asylum seekers from across Victoria who are struggling to survive. We help with basics such as food, supermarket vouchers, clothing and other donated goods. Our centre relies totally on donations to help approximately 100 people per month. Unfortunately, there are many we cannot help. In April we turned away 313 and in May we couldn’t see 403 needy asylum seekers. It’s difficult saying “I’m sorry, but we are booked out and cannot see you…” to people who we know are living on less than a Centrelink benefit. Some have no income whatsoever and we know many are sleeping on the floor and others are hungry. To help you in praying for this difficult situation justSalvos has a number of resources available. They can also be found online at http://www.sarmy. org.au Eastcare Network (Eastern Victoria) – Maz French & Teams The Salvation Army EastCare provides a broad range of services to marginalised and disadvantaged clients located within the Eastern Metropolitan Region. EastCare has been operating since 1995 and has built up strong relationships across the welfare field, a high level of credibility in the community and an extensive skill base and knowledge in dealing with individuals and families with multiple and complex needs. EastCare has a multi-disciplinary team with staff who have a range of expertise including Housing and Homelessness, Case Management, Psychiatric Nursing, Family Therapy, Psychology, Youth Residential Care, Educational and Recreational, Case Management and Social Work.