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El Cajon (Sierra Del Mar) - Week of 04/20/08

Posted by Captain Darren Norton on 05/07/2008

Fight like a man - Get on your knees and pray. By Recruiting Sergeant Shirley Green, El Cajon Corps What? Twenty-four hours a day for a whole week? A hundred and sixty-eight hours? We can’t do it! Why, I can’t even pray for one hour! That was the initial reaction of many people as we discussed the possibility of conducting a 24/7 prayer week. Although the initial response was negative, under the leadership of our Corps Sergeant-Major Roy Aulwurm, and our Corps Officers, Captains Darren and Mary Norton, we soon began to think it was possible, and plans started to take shape. The time slots on the prayer chart Roy made were gradually filled in as more and more people signed up for their turn to pray. Each Sunday he gave a report on how many more spaces had been filled and encouraged others to reserve their spot. Some of us worried: would we be able to fill every hour? It seemed like an impossible task. But before our week began, Roy was able to report that every time slot was filled and we had 100% of the week reserved. With the artistic and creative hands of staff members, the Fireside Room was completely transformed. On entering the room, participants were awed in the quietness and beauty that surrounded them. Scented candles burned in the fireplace, prayer requests were placed in a basket beside the bible on the hearth. Each wall was dedicated to a separate aspect of the needs of our world, country, military, schools, missionaries, neighborhood, our corps, and families. In fact, there was so much to pray for, I stood there in the silence with tears flowing from my eyes. I was totally overwhelmed. Many of us found that we could, indeed, pray for one hour. In fact, some of us found that one hour was not enough and we prayed for two, three, and even six hours during the week. People who were not in the habit of praying reported that they had felt God’s presence in a way they never had before, and they wondered why they had neglected this wonderful experience of prayer. They wanted to stay in that room where they met with the Spirit of God. We found that before the first day was over, God was already answering some of our prayers with a hearty YES! He is so good! He is so faithful and worthy of our praise! I believe that the prayer lives of many of our corps people have been changed forever. Let me share just a few comments:  I didn’t know what to expect nor what I was going to pray about, but I felt refreshed when I walked out. It was such a blessing and actually there was not enough time.  This was an awesome prayer time; I would love to see this happen again.  I absolutely loved it.  I felt deeply moved and my connection through prayer is definitely stronger.  It was a fantastic way to start the day before work!  I have been a “slacker” when it came to praying ….. Thank you for the motivation.  I was truly overwhelmed with the enormity of the world’s needs; it will take the rest of my life to pray for them all. Well, you get the idea! There is not enough space to report all the comments made. Suffice it to say that every person who entered that prayer room during the 24/7 week was affected in some way by the presence of God. In a corner of the room was a table on which art supplies, writing paper and pens had been placed so people could express themselves in writing or artistic expressions, and even listen to their favorite praise CD as they worked, if they chose to do so. Many of our young people took their turn in the prayer room and the comments they wrote and the art works they drew were amazing. For the most part, these comments and art works were not signed and they will be displayed for all to see. I believe they will be a great encouragement for everyone to see the spiritual depth, not only of our young people, but all who took part in this way. They were truly awesome. While I was traveling in my car the last day of our 24/7 week, I noticed a bumper sticker on the car in front of me. It said: Fight like a man – get on your knees and pray! All I could say to that sentiment was AMEN! There is no more powerful place on earth than on our knees at the foot of the Cross of Jesus. May He bless the prayer efforts of every person who takes part in the 24/7 effort throughout the territory. Please don’t miss your opportunity to take part. FIGHT LIKE A MAN – GET ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY!

THQ (THQ) - Week of

Posted by Carl Darby on 03/27/2008

24-7 Your Banner over me, is LOVE! Carl Darby (Adult Christian Education, Evangelism, Discipleship & Lay Leadership Director, THQ) Perhaps you have Banners at your Salvation Army worship center ? why? Do they reflect the Corps (core!) nature of worship they define? Are worshippers and the banners? sentiments synonymous? Are they decorative or narrative? If the Banner could speak, what would it say? This is not a true reflection of this place ("Esto no refleja verdaderamente este lugar?) or transparency personified here ("Ser transparente se personifica aqu¡"). [
 
Spanish and English 24-7 Prayer Banners have travelled throughout the territory since September 2007 starting at Territorial Executive Officers, through the San Diego Kroc Center (SDM), Pendleton (CS), San Pedro Temple (SC), Compton (SC), Mesa (SW), Ontario (SDM), Glendale (SC), Anchorage (AS), Gateway (AS), Coos Bay (CS), Greeley (IM), Klawock (AS), El Paso Temple (SW), Albuquerque Temple (SW), San Diego Citadel (SDM), Fairfield (DO), Honolulu ARC (HI), San Jose Temple (GS), Modesto Citadel (GS), and Santa Maria (SC) to the end of January 2008. What could they verbalize? Captured herein, are a few revelations of Boiler Room happenings they might share;
 
Captain Shane Halverson indicates that, "the Anchorage (AS) Corps took their fireside room and transformed it into a prayer battle room with ambiance to match. Music played, candles burned, comfort prioritized, and bulletin boards assembled. It was amazing to read masses of prayer requests and praise reports. Corps attendees were empowered, took ownership, and made this week happen.
 
The young adults prayed all night at the corps, each taking their own shifts. One young man said, "Captain, this is the closest I have felt to God in a long time." It was great to see the young people praying, providing a good example to the rest of the congregation. I believe their fire is burning a little brighter.
 
Many said it was nice to take some quiet time away from the busyness of our world and focus on prayer. We had a few that prayed every night. 24/7 prayer is something we will definitely do again.?
 
Major Julie Beauchamp (Honolulu ARC) stated that, "Our 24/7 week was amazing! The one statement that we heard most often was - I committed myself to the time but really wasn't looking forward to what I thought was going to be a really difficult time. But, something happened and the hour went by so fast, I couldn't wait until the next day."
 
We had employees and beneficiaries? greeting people with the question..."How was your prayer time? Isn't it amazing how fast the time goes by?"
 
A section of the Chapel and a Counseling Room became prayer stations. Each had music available as well as several translations of Bibles, inspirational pictures with selected Scriptures, and illustrations of an active and up to date prayer life. Some people signed up individually while others chose to have a prayer partner.
 
It was an awesome time as we heard the testimonies of how 24-7 changed people's impression of taking time with God. This week we have been hearing about answers to prayer and of people stopping to ask others if they need any special prayer. God is good!
 
Captain Tory Ross found 24-7 to be very effective at the Compton Corps (SC). "We partnered with the Mesa Corps (AZ) to ensure that we were able to try to fill most of the slots. Our entire Corps got involved with this effort, and we felt that it was a good experience for everyone. It has inspired us to continue to involve the Corps in praying for our community and individual needs and concerns. We plan to have an All Night Prayer Day on March 7 (World Day of Prayer). Sometimes it?s hard to see the tangible results of prayer, but I know that God is working in the lives of the people here. I believe that people are growing spiritually and God is challenging people as well.
 
Klawock (AS) officers, Captains Ronnie & Debbie Davis decided that, "because we are a small community located on an Alaskan island, we would make 24-7 a community event. We met with the Island's Ministerial Fellowship and they responded favorably taking prayer week information and resources with them to share with their families and churches. The week before Thanksgiving we held an island-wide fellowship meeting where the 24/7 prayer week was discussed and people were encouraged to sign up.
 
We were not able to fill in the entire week, but we had great support. Each of the participating churches set up a prayer room. We opened the chapel for everyone who wanted to pray. I (Ronnie) chose midnight to 2 am each day, and I found the time peaceful, spiritual, and very satisfying. We prayed for our families, neighbors and friends, churches, communities, schools, whatever was on our heart. Our biggest prayer was that we would see God moving in our lives. The week was such a success that several people have asked if we can do it again.?
 
"My alarm went off at 5:00 am. I am Mary J. Graham, a soldier of the Coos Bay Corps (CS) and I was surprised how good I felt?anxious to dress and get to my 6:00 am appointment at church. Today was my first hour of prayer celebrating 24/7, a solid week of continual prayer in our chapel. In our preparation, we?d discovered that there are always a number of churches involved in 24/7 throughout the US. Our small congregation decided to answer the call and be added to the ranks. Knocking on the church door at 6 am, I was greeted by a fellow Salvationist. She handed me the key as she headed home and I locked the door behind me and entered the sanctuary.
 
A large white tent had been constructed in the back corner. Its furnishings were simple: a small altar with a wooden cross, a couple of chairs, a few pillows and a soft reading light and stand to my right and left. A CD player was softly playing a familiar hymn. I had entered the tabernacle of the Lord. I could do nothing else except kneel and give thanks. Here I was alone with my Lord in this small, warm place?just He and I. I felt it was an honor and a privilege.
 
Bible verses hung on the walls to prompt our attention as to the reason for prayer. Several Bibles were available for use. A large jar of prayer request cards sat in front of the altar. I found that the mere hour was not enough time to praise, worship, and intercede for those many requests. As the week progressed, I wondered if this is what it was like to meet with Him in the inner sanctuary of the temple. The tent became a familiar friendly place to meet in private with my Lord. Talking with others who participated all hours of the day and night has expressed the same thought and we miss our prayer tent. I wish I could create a small private place at home for prayer and worship, but I guess for now, the corner of the couch will have to do.
 
24/7 has taught me a valuable lesson?an hour is not enough time for daily prayer. It?s a matter of not allowing the world to steal the time, nor allowing the distractions to turn our head and hearts from Him.?
 
Major Susan Jones, Mary?s officer, added, "having our prayer time just before Thanksgiving gave us strength and encouragement throughout the busy holiday season. As it progressed, we experienced a peace and strength which we do not recall from any of the twelve years we have been stationed here. We give God the glory for answered prayer.
 
Mary?s experience was personal yet similar to the many others pray-ers. Our Corps had a unique and wonderful occurrence. We had one man committed to pray every night for two hours. The day before we commenced, he almost died and remained in the hospital that entire week - we believe in our healing prayer! A home league member passed away that week. There were divine encounters and answers to prayer too numerous to delineate. I think that we would all agree that the common thread was that spending time with God should be our number one priority. Hearts were changed and growth took place in those who prayed. Answers to prayer came not only to those who were being prayed for, but also to those that prayed."
 
The San Diego Kroc Corps Community Center Associate Administrator, Captain Lisa Van Cleef, indicated that a "Boiler Room? ? set up and decorated by members of the congregation - became a very quiet sanctuary at which forty-five center members, youth ministry program participants and Salvation Army and other local church attendees prayed.
 
An incredible diversity of pray-ers and visitors paused as they rushed to their class or event. Several visitors have been attracted to the Sunday services and one couple has decided to make The Salvation Army their church home.
 
At the San Pedro, California, Gerald Hardin participated in the prayer vigil. He had been battling cancer and felt in his heart the Lord answer his prayer in that very moment, giving him peace.
 
At Pendleton, Oregon, Captain Martha Sheppard, indicated she couldn?t wait to get back for another two-hour prayer shift, emerging invigorated and changed. The shredder is not working well, but people continue to throw away their sin! We have started praying at 8:12 each morning. We go around our block and pray at all four corners, remembering the prayer requests that were given on Sunday or other needs that come to mind. We pray for The Salvation Army and its leadership. This set time has enriched our corps programming - and become one of the foundations that we rely on for spiritual strength!
 
24-7 has brought people together - calling to see if any spots needed covering, dropping by after work. The nights have been best manned surprisingly! We wait our "turn" in the TV room - which has been dedicated to "Bible Only" movies this week - "Matthew - The visual bible" is getting ready to start. I also need to remember that it?s the availability of God that is 24-7, not the physical presence of a person in a specific room.
 
Perhaps one of the most poignant Boiler Room experiences was at THQ. The 24/7 Boiler Room contained a variety of prayer focus opportunities but the one most meaningful to Major Ralph E. Hood Jr., Territorial Secretary for Personnel, contained a fishing net draped with baskets full of paper fish. Instructions were to open your hearts to an individual or group for whom the Lord wanted you to pray and to write their name on one of the fish. The Major wrote a high school friends name, Vince, on a fish, hung it in the net and prayed for him and then continued in prayer at various other "stations? in the prayer room for another hour. There had been no contact between Ralph and Vince for over thirty years, but when Ralph returned to his office there was a voicemail from Vince!
 
Recognizing God?s special purpose through prayer and in Vince's phone message, Ralph immediately phoned Vince, with a pr‚cis of thirty years news. It transpired Vince had tracked down Ralph from one of his sisters, that he?d experienced several difficult years, and decided to make contact as he knew Ralph had become a Salvation Army pastor and would have a receptive ear and gentle heart!
 
Upon learning of Vince?s address, Ralph provided local contact details for The Salvation Army. The following Monday Vince phoned to say he?d attended church and at the conclusion of God?s message presented by the corps officer (pastor) he went forward and gave his life to the Lord. Initially, he did not understand what he was doing, but when he got up from the time of prayer, he felt like a load was lifted and accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As they talked about what had happened, Ralph indicated that Vince now needed to get into The Word reading his Bible, to continue praying, and to join a fellowship of other Christians in order to grow. Vince said he?d enjoyed such a warm welcome at The Salvation Army that he planned to return.
 
The Banners move forward to Bakersfield Temple (GS) Grays Harbor (NW) South Valley (IM), Fresno Citadel (GS), Las Vegas Citadel (SW) Anchorage Korean (AS), DHQ (HI), Tacoma (NW), Olympia (NW), Western Bible Conference, Western Music Institute, Western Youth Institute.
 
As the Banners travel, may they be a banner of love for us all. Check the territorial website (www.24-7uswsaprayer.org) to see where they are headed?pray for the corps, community, families, and corps leaders. Pray over the cities that the banners travel in transit! Consider a more concerted prayer focus than your place of worship might already be making?and be prepared for change. You might be tired for a week, but a Holy Spirit blessing will propel you to renewed strength as prayer changes everything. Check out Paul?s words (Colossians 4:2-4) from his prison chains. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
 
Father, Your gracious Spirit is beauty personified. We praise You for this Beauty speaking to us, prompting us, breaking us, making us, living through us, and growing in us. May we always be led and act according to Your Will. We pray for a listening heart; one that understands and acts, one that absorbs and blossoms, one that hears the tender tune to which you would have us sing and dance, and may the cacophony of sound that we create be transformed into a harmonious symphony pleasing to you. As we commune ? knowing You are so blessing us already ? may we understand and have positive faith, assured that You are answering our prayers according to Your Will and purpose. We pray for our Army. May we be an Army that preaches and lives out Holiness, which nurtures Disciples, that prioritizes quality over quantity, and that ensures Your banner of love flies over all.

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Escondido (Sierra Del Mar) - Week of 3/16/08

Posted by Captain Derek Strickland on 03/24/2008

We chose our 24/7 week to coincide with Holy Week and spring break. We were hesitant because our corps had not attempted something like this. Glory to God as we covered 165 of the 168 hours! It was a powerful experience for all who participated. Different corps programs changed their schedules and spent their programs inside the prayer room. It is inspiring to see the scripture verses, maps, paintings, poetry, requests, and answers to prayer blended together as a testament to God's grace and love. The effect was such that the prayer room will now be a permanent place of prayer in the building. We will be considering holding a 24/1 event on a quarterly or monthly basis. If your corps has not done this, take the leap of faith and watch and see what God does.

Fairfield (Del Oro) - Week of 1/13/08

Posted by Major Willdonna Rich on 02/25/2008

We held our 24/7 prayer room at a time I thought was too close to Christmas. We were all so tired I thought we might do more sleeping in there than we would praying! However, not one of us nodded off! Our Corps has suffered in the last year from loosing two families who moved out of state or on to begin their own ministry. At our lowest point we were four ladies praying around a table. "We 4 and no more" prayed diligently and tried several ideas to bring in new people and to try to encourage others who had formerly attended to re-join us. By the time we began the 24/7 prayer room we had grown by one family of 3. We invited the Home League Ladies to come and pray in the room we gained another family on Sundays bringing us up to 7! A client from the REACH Office came to pray with our REACH Worker and some friends. while in the room she witnesses that she met Jesus and He completely changed her life. I attribute to the week of prayer all of the new people we have attending Chruch (Averaging about 20), Bible Study, Soldiers Calsses and we have now started a Men's Prayer Breakfast and a Women's Ministries Breakfast. God Is Good! We plan to have a half night of prayer time each quarter so we continue to see God's blessings.

Pendleton Corps (Cascade) - Week of 1/1/08

Posted by Capt Martha Sheppard on 02/04/2008

Following Boot Camp, which included some great teaching times by Aaron White on 24/7 prayer and an AWESOME prayer room (which operated even during the torrential rains! - God provided showers of blessings), we have decided to open up one end of our hallway for a weekly fasting & prayer time. We are dedicating Fridays from 6am - 6pm to fasting and prayer and then we will move into our Friday night church service of praise, worship, and teaching!

Pendleton (Intermountain) - Week of 12/1/08

Posted by Captain Martha Sheppard on 12/13/2007

We have started praying at 8:12 each morning. We go around our block and pray at all four corners, remembering the prayer requests that were given on Sunday or other needs that come to mind. We pray for The Salvation Army and its leadership. This "set time" has enriched our corps programming - and become one of the foundations that we rely on for spiritual strength!

Klawock (Alaska) - Week of November 25

Posted by Captain Ronnie Davis on 11/26/2007

Today marks the beginning of our 24/7 prayer week. For those of you who don't know where Klawock is located, we are on the Prince of Wales Island just west of Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska. As we are a small community - less than 6000 on the entire island - we are going to make this an Island wide effort. So far we have six other churches participating. As the week progresses, we will update prayer happenings here. God bless everyone.

Pendleton (Cascade) - Week of 9/16/07

Posted by Captain Martha Sheppard on 09/22/2007

In the Bible reading area, on one of the chairs, is a homemade quilt – which is completely “off” with the ethereal surroundings – and yet seems to fit in perfectly. Someone has left it there from one of the “mid-night” readings and now it has been used by several who come into the room. It’s funny how the everyday gets mixed in with the sacred – so quickly. On the very first day, some little kid wrote on the big prayer banner with pen. It’s not obvious – except to the discerning eye – but then, once you see it, you can’t miss it. As I try to use Goo-B-Gone and Soft-Scrub to remove the scribbles, it reminds me of our sins. They aren’t always blatantly obvious and it’s not easy to remove the stains that are left behind. But God has an excellent cleansing agent – and He removes all traces of sin. Our Shredder station didn’t work very well (note to self: don’t buy cheap stuff) but I noticed that people were still writing down their sins and wadding them up and throwing them into the wastepaper basket. Even when things don’t go according to plan, people still understand the message. Next to my carefully worded instructions on the “facing Jesus” station, someone has added a 3 x 5 card with a scripture that applies to the situation. It gives the area a face-lift and some added depth and meaning to the experience. Tomorrow brings the task of figuring out how to keep the prayer room intact – and still use it as a nursery. We need both. I am worried that it won’t be manned all the time and then we will label it a “failure.” I just need to remember that it’s the availability of God (and the prayer room ) that is 24-7, not the physical presence of a person in a specific room. We are praying for peace tomorrow – world peace. I know that we have a little piece of it in our hearts here – if we could only help spread it to others now. . . .

Pendleton (Cascade) - Week of 9/16/07

Posted by Captain Martha Sheppard on 09/19/2007

God has already shown himself in miraculous ways. Mary's small dog is deaf and almost blind. Mary lives alone with "Girl" and when she went out to tend her tomato plants, Girl was playing in the yard and then she was gone. After looking for an hour, Mary finally went to church on Sunday morning. On Monday Mary went to her "hour" in the Prayer Room and she cried and cried to God, asking him to bring Girl home. She saw that someone had also written on the Wailing Wall, asking for prayer for Girl. When her hour was up, she left the room and went out side - and there in the church parking lot was Girl. Wow.

Marge put her 85year old uncle on the Wailing Wall. He was in intensive care in Vancouver, Washington with a blood infection and pneumonia. She prayed for him along with several other requests. When she left, she went home and several people who went in after her prayed for the "anonymous" prayer request to either "heal Vic or take him home". She told us later that it had only been a few hours later when she received a phone call saying that he had been moved to a regular room (he wasn't even in ICU!) and was expected to go home - his home in Vancouver.

So, here we are on the 3rd day. Have we been able to fill every slot? Even with the best of intentions, we have not. But it has brought people together - calling to see if any spots needed covering, dropping by after work. The night ones are the best manned - believe it or not. It is 1:00am and after getting up and driving here in the cold dark night air, I am finding that the time slot I had claimed is being claimed by another, someone else is waiting in line, and there are breakfast burritos waiting. We are going to go wait our "turn" in the TV room - which has been dedicated to "Bible Only" movies this week. I think "Matthew - The visual bible" is getting ready to start.

Are you praying? We are! Join us.

Pendleton (Cascade) - Week of 9/16/07

Posted by Captain Martha Sheppard on 09/17/2007

It has begun. We started with worship - just a few of us - and then left the first worshipper to meet with God. He emerged, a different man, 60 minutes later. My shift was later that night. My daughter, who has spent the last year fasting and praying every Friday, signed up for 2 hours. "Two hours???" I thought. She was right, though - at the end of my two hour shift, I was not ready to quit - and felt sad at leaving the room. I can't wait until tonight! (er, tomorrow morning -2am).

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