The Salvation Army in the Western states has been challenged by the question: Have you ever prayed—really prayed—for more than a few minutes? You have to do that to see the astounding results God promises.
The Western Territory’s official kickoff for a year of 24/7 Prayer was Sept. 15; however, intensive prayer was already underway.
An outdoor Boiler Room (prayer room) had been set up at California and Hawaii regional ministry events and at the Music and Youth Institutes, a residential teen/young adult camp. All who attended testified to a passionate emphasis on prayer and to feeling the power of prayer.
Captain Lisa Van Cleef of The San Diego Kroc Corps Community Center reports that a Boiler Room became a quiet sanctuary for 45 people—corps (church) members, youth program participants, and pray–ers from other churches and Salvation Army corps. Several visitors to the Boiler Room were attracted to Kroc Center Sunday services; one couple has made The Salvation Army their church home.
At San Pedro, Calif., Gerald Hardin participated in a 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, Ore., Captain Martha Sheppard said she was invigorated and changed by a two–hour prayer shift and couldn’t wait to get back for another.
The Boiler Room at the Western Territory’s headquarters in Long Beach, Calif., featured a variety of prayer stations; the one Major Ralph Hood Jr. found most meaningful was a fishing net draped with baskets of paper fish. Pray–ers were to open their hearts to an individual or group and to write their name(s) on a fish. The Major wrote the name of a high school friend, Vince, whom he hadn’t seen in 30 years, and prayed for him.
When Ralph returned to his office, there was a voice mail from Vince.
Ralph immediately phoned his friend. He learned that Vince had tracked him down because he had experienced some difficult years, and he knew Ralph had become a Salvation Army pastor and would have a receptive ear and gentle heart.
Ralph provided Vince with contact information for a Salvation Army corps near him. The following Monday, Vince phoned to say he had attended the church and at the conclusion of the message, he had gone forward to the altar. Initially, he told Ralph, he did not understand what he was doing, but when he got up from his time of prayer, he felt as if a load had been lifted, and he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As they talked about what had happened, Ralph told his friend that he now needed to get into his Bible, to continue praying, and to join a fellowship of other Christians. Vince said he had enjoyed such a warm welcome at The Salvation Army that he planned to return.
So, whether you live in a Western state or are part of The Salvation Army or not, get to it—I challenge you to pray. Not just for a few minutes or an extra hour in a Boiler Room, and not only at church … but also to pray continually. Then, watch everything change!
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