For many of us, September is viewed as a new beginning. After a season of summer activities, we prepare to resume our regular schedules at work, school and church. Some of us may even commence new challenges and responsibilities. We come to this season with renewed energy to face whatever lies ahead, wherever God has placed us.

As a territory, we have recently experienced the power of unity of purpose as we prayed for our Atlantic Congress and Commissioning weekend in St. John's, N.L., which was a God-honouring event. We can truly say we experienced immeasurably more than all we asked or imagined. In this spirit of unity, I solicit your support for the following prayer topics.

General Shaw Clifton has issued a Call to Prayer for Peace. On September 19, he asks that the international Salvation Army set aside time to pray for an end to violence and conflict in the world.

From September 24-26, I encourage you to support the Weekend of Prayer for Victims of Sex Trafficking. Please use this weekend to raise awareness of this injustice.

I also invite you to pray for these plans and strategies for the Canada and Bermuda Territory:

• Sustainability of rural ministries
• Candidate cultivation program
• Integration of congregational, social and community services in our corps
• Focus on winning and discipling children as followers of Christ
• Development of a strategic plan for territorial headquarters for the next three to five years, including a long-term strategic financial plan

I commend and value the commitment and faithfulness of every prayer partner, prayer group and individual who prays. I call upon every officer, senior soldier, junior soldier and adherent to ask God to teach us to pray for these plans and guide us to become effective in every Salvation Army centre across the territory. We have not yet experienced all God has in store.

May we allow words from God through the prophet Jeremiah to build our faith: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

May the Lord bless you!

francis_william_cmsr_smlCommissioner William W. Francis is the Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory. His wife, Commissioner Marilyn Francis, is the Territorial President for Women's Ministries. Commissioners Francis have two adult children, Captain William Marshall and Susan Marjorie, plus six grandchildren.

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