A Call to Prayer
…an invitation to grow and be fruitful…
The Salvation Army
Central Territory
2024 is here and so we encourage you to join in the Commissioner’s Call to Prayer!
Isaiah 43:19 exclaims, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
We need God to do ‘a new thing’ in us and in our Salvation Army. There is power in united prayer!
In the link below, our Territorial Commander, Commissioner Evie Diaz shares a powerful introduction to this prayer initiative.
Our prayer is that the Lord will rekindle His passion in our hearts and in our mission.
Sunday, January 7th: PREPARE THE SOIL
It’s so important to prepare the soil before planting. Good soil is a combination of dirt and compost, well mixed and free of clumps. The goal is to create a rich, healthy environment, a healthy foundation, to produce a hearty plant. The sure foundation of our life can only be found in the one true God.
PRAY: Father God, on this first Sunday of a new year, let us pray for a Salvation Army that is planted in the rich, healthy foundation of God. We pray for officers, soldiers and attenders to have a spiritual richness of salvation through Jesus Christ and a life reflecting God’s holiness. Amen.
2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV) – “God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’”
Sunday, January 14th: PLANT THE SEEDS
Last week we talked about preparing the soil for a good foundation for growth. Now as the gardener places the hard, dried seed in the soil, so too after we believe in Christ our Savior and live for God, the Holy Spirit plants seeds in us that are Christlike. These seeds are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The seeds are surrounded with the rich foundation so that the germination process can begin as we open ourselves up to God’s working in our lives.
PRAY: Lord, today we are praying for the working of the Holy Spirit across the territory to plant His God-given seeds in our Army and in us individually. May His holy attributes sprout and take root in our lives. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV) – “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”
Sunday, January 21st: NOURISHMENT
The Holy Spirit has planted the seeds, but in order for them to grow they need to be in a warm environment, be fed and watered. How do we do that? We need to make sure our corps environment is warm and welcoming. We need to offer and faithfully participate in sound Bible teaching, corporate worship and prayer. Spiritual nourishment also comes from other believers in fellowship, encouragement and support. All this is vital for healthy growth.
PRAY: Heavenly Father, we pray these growth elements are evident and flourishing in ourselves, our corps and in every corps across the territory. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 (NIV) – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
Sunday, January 28th: PRODUCE FRUIT
After planting seeds in rich soil, watering and feeding, fruit will appear and mature. The growth process takes time and every plant, just like every person, grows in different ways, all in God’s perfect timing. The Spirit planted seeds that are now flowering fruit, which should be visible and recognized by others.
PRAY: Lord, today we are praying for spiritual fruit to be seen in our lives. Fruit that will thrive and last. Fruit that will reproduce itself in the lives of others. May the characteristics of Christ be seen in me. Amen.
John 15:8 (NIV) – “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Matthew 7:20 (NIV) – “By their fruit you will recognize them.”
As we have prepared ourselves for bearing spiritual fruit, may we be mindful to pray for Territorial Executive Council meeting on January 30th.
PRAY: Heavenly Father, as the Territorial Executive Council gathers, we bring them before Your throne as they meet at the beginning of this new year to consider the well-being of our territory. May they sense Your nearness and guidance as they review what is working and what needs to change. Help them as they try to grasp the spiritual formation level of our corps’. As our leaders meet to formulate a plan for The Salvation Army in the Central Territory, remind us to pray for them and the greater Salvation Army around the world. Amen.
Colossians 1:10-12 (NIV) – “And we pray this in order that you many live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.”
