40 Days of Prayer - Week 5
Day 29 - June 25
Day 30 - June 26
Day 31 - June 27
Day 32 - June 28
Day 33 - June 29
Day 34 - June 30
Day 35 - July 1
Day 29 - June 25
Supplication
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Prayer Points
• For INSPIRE that begins tomorrow
• The readiness of the accommodations
• The banquets
• The children and youth programs
• March of Witness
Praying The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Do you sometimes feel
That no one truly knows you,
And that no one understands or really cares?
Through his people,
God himself is close beside you,
And through them he plans
To answer all your prayers.
Someone cares, someone cares,
Someone knows your deepest need,
Your burden shares;
Someone cares, someone cares,
God himself will hear the whisper of your prayers.
(SASB 10)
Prayer
We pray to you, compassionate God of all people. We have been led through adoration, confession and thanksgiving, and now we come to supplication. Already during these 40 Days of Prayer you have heard us praise your name and lift our voices to ask for your intercession in our affairs. We have done this because we know that you are a God who cares. You have demonstrated this in the person of your Son, Jesus Christ, who was born, died, was resurrected and ascended to give us life in all its fullness. We pray further that the accommodations are ready for the wonderful INSPIRE meetings. We look forward to the celebration banquet featuring Skeleton Army. We also pray for the children and youth programs at INSPIRE. May our children and youth know safety and the love of Jesus. Lord, listen to your people praying. Amen.
Day 30 - June 26
Conference Opening
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Prayer Points
• God’s blessings over the opening celebrations
• May the INSPIRE Conference give fresh inspiration for missions
• That the delegates will bless the community around them at the INSPIRE Conference: the staff, the hotel employees, the shops they visit, the restaurant staff where they go to eat and the people they meet
• May The Salvation Army be inspired by this INSPIRE Conference to have a renewed focus on the unsaved
Praying The Song Book of The Salvation Army
The world is needing us,
Christ is leading us;
Comrades, let us be true.
His love constraining us,
Prayer sustaining us,
Faith will carry us through.
His service calling us,
None appalling us,
Deeds of valour we’ll do;
For souls are needing us,
Christ is leading us;
Comrades, we will be true.
(SASB 934)
Prayer
Holy Trinity, may your glory penetrate our souls. We have come to the commencement of the INSPIRE Conference. What a wonderful day and opportunity that this will be for your Salvation Amy. We pray for renewed energy and passion to engage with the learnings that you have prepared for us. Bless those who are able to attend and also those who are at home, praying for INSPIRE to be a life transforming event. From this first day of the conference, may we become a different people. A people with renewed focus on you and a deep desire to spread your gospel to the whosoever. Let this begin today as we interact with those outside the conference. May we embody your gospel and love to all we meet and interact with. We love you Jesus. Amen.
Day 31 - June 27
Open Our Hearts for New Methods
Luke 24:32
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Prayer Points
• Wisdom and deep conviction for presenters as they share their experience and knowledge
• Open hearts to explore new methods
• Courage to try new ideas
• Discovery of new gifts and talents for ministry
Praying The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Burning, burning, brightly burning,
Brightly burning fire divine,
Satisfy my spirit’s yearning.
Fill this empty soul of mine.
Burning, burning, always burning,
Holy Spirit, stay with me;
To your will my will is turning,
What you will I want to be.
Burning, burning, deeply burning,
Deeply burning holy fire,
Now, your perfect plan discerning,
Your design is my desire.
Burning, burning, gently burning,
Gently burning fire within,
From your love my love is learning,
Now I feel your work begin.
(SASB 317)
Prayer
“Gracious and loving God, we acknowledge you as the source of our best counsel and guidance, believing that you always direct us in ways that are best for us. We pray for your Salvation Army to continually develop its sensitivity to your voice by making time to be in your presence. Fill the Army with your wisdom as they listen for you in the quiet spaces. Surround the Army also with people who will offer sound advice and encouragement and fill it with a spirit of humility to accept the collective wisdom of these. Please keep the Army strong against any voices that would seek to discourage or undermine, and tune its ears to words that provide guidance and direction towards Christlike, fruitful leadership. Thank you for your generosity to pour out your wisdom upon our leaders, giving them the ability to discern your ways and make decisions aligned with your purposes for The Salvation Army today and into the future. Amen.”—A prayer from The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka
Day 32 - June 28
Colonel Evie Diaz
Philippians 1:6
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Prayer Points
• Colonel Evie Diaz’s preparation
• Colonel Evie Diaz’s health
• Colonel Evie Diaz’s uplifting support of the INSPIRE Conference and Congress
• Hearts that are receptive to hear the message
Praying The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Shout aloud salvation,
And we’ll have another song;
Sing it with a spirit
That will start the world along;
Sing it as our comrades sang it
Many a thousand strong, |
As they were marching to glory.
March on, march on! we bring the jubilee;
Fight on, fight on! salvation makes us free;
We’ll shout our Saviour’s praises
Over every land and sea
As we go marching to glory.
So we’ll make a thoroughfare
For Jesus and his train;
All the world shall hear us
As fresh converts still we gain;
Sin shall fly before us
For resistance is in vain,
As we go marching to glory.
(SASB 973)
Prayer
Jesus, you are the great shepherd of the sheep. We are ever thankful to those who have undertaken a life of service in your name. We are grateful that Colonel Evie Diaz is the chief secretary of your Salvation Army in this territory. Her love for Jesus and her passion for sharing the gospel is a foundational part of who you have created her to be. May Colonel Diaz’s participation in the INSPIRE Conference and Congress be undergirded by your powerful presence, so the words that she speaks will be to us as if we were hearing the very words of God. This we pray in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Day 33 - June 29
Corps Health
1 Peter 5:1-5
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.”
Prayer Points
• Repositioning of the corps/churches for health and spiritual growth
• The blessings of the innovation grants that have allowed corps to discover new ministry
• That every corps and every member of your Salvation Army is fit for mission and positioned for growth
• Resources needed to bring new health in the corps setting
Praying The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Now the fruit of the Spirit is patience,
And the fruit of the Spirit is peace,
The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness
And joy that will never cease.
The gift of the Spirit is healing,
And hope for the darkest hour,
The gift of the Spirit is love, yes, love
And power, and power.
(SASB 305)
Prayer
Almighty God, Three in One, we lift to you our sacrifice of praise. May you once again bring us back to the ministry of Jesus, who audaciously proclaimed to Peter that on this rock you will build your church. We are well aware that your church in Canada and Bermuda is in need of loving care. Where in times past, the church seemed to be ever advancing, it now seems to be in a time of constant retreat. We do not believe that this is your will for the church. We believe that this INSPIRE Conference and Congress is your great reset for your Salvation Army. May we with your guidance and direction reposition our corps/churches for health and spiritual growth. May we see the fruit of our movement steadily advancing where your Salvation Army is a transforming influence in the communities it serves. So may it be. Amen.
Day 34 - June 30
Congress Meetings
Psalm 63:1
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Prayer Points
• Spirit-directed worship in the congress meetings
• Souls saved at the congress meetings
• Reignited passion of Salvation Army mission
• Cadets and auxiliary-captains who will be ordained and commissioned on Saturday morning
• Reflection on Salvation Army covenants
Praying The Song Book of The Salvation Army
Joy! joy! joy! There is joy in The Salvation Army,
Joy! joy! joy! in the Army of the Lord.
Sing to God, sing to God,
With loud joyful songs of praise;
Beat the drums, beat the drums,
While salvation music plays.
Play the music, play, sing the happy song,
Loud hosannas shout
With the happy throng,
To the Happy Land we’ll march along
And be joyful all the way.
Joy! joy! joy! There is joy in The Salvation Army,
Joy! joy! joy! in the Army of the Lord.
Joy! joy! joy! There is joy in The Salvation Army,
Joy! joy! joy! in the Army of the Lord.
Blood and Fire, Blood and Fire,
Is the Army soldier’s might;
Blood and Fire, Blood and Fire,
Is our victory in the fight.
’Tis the Blood and Fire gives the battle cry,
’Tis the Blood and Fire makes the foe to fly,
’Tis the Blood and Fire gives the Army joy
And victory all the way.
Joy! joy! joy! There is joy in The Salvation Army,
Joy! joy! joy! in the Army of the Lord.
We will sing, we will sing,
Till the world is full of joy;
We will shout, we will shout,
Till glad voices rend the sky.
With a thousand bands and a thousand drums
We will praise the Lord
In bright, happy homes,
We will sing and shout till the Master comes,
We will ever praise the Lord. (SASB 963)
Prayer
Inspiring and transforming God, the time has arrived, the doors of Massey Hall are opening, let the celebration begin. This is the day that the INSPIRE Congress meetings begin. We pray that your holy presence fills Massey Hall, so that all who are here feel their hearts strangely warmed and realize that the places that they are standing are on holy ground. We pray for the General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle and all who will participate in making this a congress for the ages. May the worship here resound with a loud blast all around your creation. May what transpires this weekend enhance the God-given directory of your Salvation Army. As an innovative partner may it be said of your Army, that we exist to save souls, make saints and serve suffering humanity. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Day 35 - July 1
Diversity
Matthew 8:11
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer Points
• Understanding the diversity of the kingdom of God
• Collaboration with people that are different from us
• The awareness that we accomplish more when we are together
• Confess when we cause division and seek to form communities of reconciliation
Praying The Song Book of The Salvation Army
When I needed a neighbour,
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour, were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won’t matter,
Were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty,
Were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked,
Were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there?
When I needed a shelter,
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter, were you there?
When I needed a healer,
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer, were you there?
Wherever you travel,
I’ll be there, I’ll be there,
Wherever you travel, I’ll be there.
And the creed and the colour
And the name won’t matter,
I’ll be there.
(SASB 1013)
Prayer
We pray to you, reconciling God, who gives us the ministry of reconciliation. In this beautiful world that you have created, we so readily observe the seeds of division that have been planted. Walls of injustice and intolerance are being built and there is no longer a desire to find common ground. We ask you allow us to be partners in breaking these walls down. Where there is hatred and judgment let there be love and peace. Help us walk together and journey towards your love. Help us, dear Lord, to remember that we are your people, all made in your image. Help us to recognize your created image in the people that you have placed on our common paths. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen
