The Salvation Army Central Territory has launched the Adult Mission Advancement prayer initiative, 100 Days of Prayer. Beginning March 1, 2019 through June 8, 2019, we will be posting weekly readings and daily prayer topics. We believe in the power of prayer and that God answers prayer. Join us for updates, prayer requests, thoughts and helpful ways you can pray for one another and our Army.
May 31-June 8, 2019
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
“Some of you are called to be leaders… In this role, you are servants and ministers of God. Embrace this calling with grace and sober thought. The most important part of your spiritual leadership is that you are faithful to God and carry out that calling and ministry right where you are. Spiritual leadership will place upon you responsibilities and demand sacrifices which can only be accomplished with a pure heart and pure motives. As you carry this mantle of leadership, be recklessly courageous about serving God wherever He leads you and in whatever He commands you to do. The greatness of your influence is determined by your servanthood and love.”
Jesus Now, by Leslie Brandt
We acknowledge the high calling of our leaders and thank God for their obedience faithfulness. Our leaders are vulnerable to all the attacks of the enemy, but we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.
This week, thank God for those He has placed in these important leadership roles and ask Him, how you can encourage and come alongside.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 92 Pray for clarity in teaching and preaching
Day 93 Pray for deliverance from opposition
Day 94 Pray for effectiveness in mission
Day 95 Pray for their spiritual, emotional and physical refreshment
Day 96 Pray for their families
Day 97 Pray for divine wisdom
Day 98 Pray for vision for the future
Day 99 Pray for mission-focus
Day 100 Prayer for our Territorial Leaders and Guests for Commissioning
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May 24-30, 2019
UNDIVIDED
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
Start reading an on-line news article and shortly you run into a hyperlink. It is an invitation to get more information about a topic, person, or event related to the article. Click on it, and before long you have taken twists and turns, had switchbacks, and may find yourself jogging along a trail far afield from the original article. What begins as a “quick read” turns into a longer investment of time.
Many things ask for our contributions of time, talent, and resources. Rather than a choice between good or bad, it is most often the harder choice between better or best. We are presented with many good things. And with so many choices, we can easily become scattered, feel torn, become angry and frustrated. We feel divided.
During a visit to the home of Mary and Martha, Jesus was asked to settle a dispute between the sisters. (Luke 10:38-42) Mary sat visiting with the guests and listening to Jesus, while Martha was left busy with the meal prep. Martha disapproved of her sister’s choice. There was division. It became obvious to Jesus that Martha had a divided heart; and rather than a rebuke, his words were meant to console: Mary had chosen the “better part.”
What is your better part? Of all the many things that would divide your time, attention, your good efforts, your relationships, what calls you to wholeness, to an undivided heart and to a place of peace?
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 85 Pray for an undivided heart
Day 86 What takes your attention from God?
Day 87 Pray to make choices that honor God
Day 88 Pray for a focused heart
Day 89 Pray for an intimate, deep, loving relationship with God
Day 90 Ask the Lord for a heart check up
Day 91 Pray for a pursuing heart
May 17-23, 2019
LIVING OUT HOLINESS
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, NIV
The words of Scripture are not words of advice. Through his Word, God has revealed to us how he expects us to live. These words ought to be welcome by us. We are wanderers lost in a dark forest and God has placed before us the map that will direct our way home. And yet we frequently treat the Bible as a book of suggestions or antiquated ideas rather than life giving revelation from God.
When God says, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2), he is not speaking to the religious elite or to the Jews only. He is speaking to us. God has not called us to live impure lives but to walk in holiness, to be holy as he is holy.
We must not disregard the words of God as given to us through other people. The preacher or teacher who tells you to be holy, the parent who tells you to avoid sin, the book that tells you to obey God – these are not agents working against you but are beacons of the light of truth, shining that light into your life. If you disregard such words it is not the messenger you ignore, it is the author. You disregard not man, you disregard God.
As you move throughout your day today, what events will try to sabotage your holiness? What temptations will be present? What traps will be in your way? Spot them and avoid them. Take seriously this word that God has called us to holiness. Be obedient to Christ and be holy as he who called you is holy (1 Peter 1:15).
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 78 What thoughts or actions are sabotaging my Holiness?
Day 79 Be a doer of the Word
Day 80 Pray for a truly repentant heart and mind
Day 81 Pray about the stumbling blocks that you will encounter today
Day 82 Practice a lifestyle of conversation with God
Day 83 Pray for a heart like Christ
Day 84 Pray that your eyes will be open to the traps that entangle
May 10-16, 2019
I AM A CHURCH MEMBER
Does the Word of God speak to church membership? Yes it does! Church membership is the shape of Christian discipleship. It is the bride of Christ. The church is the only plan of God to reach the world and it is the only organization that will last forever!
Participating in God’s plan for redemption involves far more than believing; it involves belonging. Only as we belong to Christ’s Body can we become what He intends us to be. We cannot grow spiritually on our own – we need to be connected to the Body. It’s more than belonging, it’s a way of committing to the work God is doing in us and through us as a community of believers.
As church members, we have the privilege to unite with the body of Christ in making eternal differences through our gifts. It is an honor, joy and privilege to be in community where there is fellowship, edifying, encouragement and worship.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 71 Pray for your local church
Day 72 Pray that you will be a functioning member
Day 73 Pray that you bring unity to your church
Day 74 Pray that you will model servanthood in your church
Day 75 Pray for your church leaders
Day 76 Pray that your family contributes as healthy church members
Day 77 Pray that you will treasure your church and membership as a precious gift
May 3-9, 2019
Leadership Development
Imagine a worldwide church where every leader is mentoring younger leaders, where leadership is both Christ-like and contextual, where leaders partner together across boundaries, where millions of future leaders are emerging—bringing the whole gospel to the whole world. Where would it lead? What would happen? This vision would be a galactic explosion—rather than our simple fireworks.
What will it take?
We have a desperate need for Godly leaders…to teach, preach, love, lead and come alongside those on their journey. Individuals who are called by God to be used in their local setting to minister to God’s people. It’s critical that we take the time to recognize those whom God is calling out and begin to train and teach them to step up and assist in the spiritual development of their community. There is no end to what God can do with men and women, young and old who work together, shoulder to shoulder for God’s Kingdom.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 64 Pray for leaders
Day 65 Pray for someone to train and mentor
Day 66 Pray that you are intentional in developing leaders
Day 67 Pray for boldness and courage
Day 68 Pray for opportunities to use your gifts and abilities
Day 69 Pray for your own leadership opportunities
Day 70 Pray for openness to those around you and their potential
April 26-May 2, 2019
LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15, NIV
Some people tend to live their lives like a magazine or newspaper—neatly categorized under specific headings like sports, cooking, world news, and religion. Rarely does one part of their lives intersect with other parts as they live in relationship with the world around them.
Lifestyle evangelism calls Christians to live an attractive, holy life that captures the attention of neighbors and coworkers to earn a chance to share the gospel.
Lifestyle evangelism combines proclaiming Jesus with living a life that shows others the difference Jesus makes. In essence, the apostle Peter says, “Be prepared to live your life for all to see, ready to tell anyone at any time about how Christ makes a difference in your life.”
True lifestyle evangelism requires telling the Good News in the context of personal relationship through actions and words.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 57 Thank God for His work in your life
Day 58 Ask the Holy Spirit to connect you with the lost in your “sphere of influence”
Day 59 Ask for boldness to speak Good News
Day 60 Live your life with integrity
Day 61 Invite the Holy Spirit to lead everyday conversations into spiritual ones
Day 62 Let your actions speak as loud as your words
Day 63 Rejoice in the witnessing opportunities God gives you each day
April 19-25, 2019
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5
A new girl walks into the corps building on youth night. Shy and self-conscious, she sits alone. Used to the wrong sort of attention, she tries to make herself invisible. But a sweet and kind lady approaches and stoops to look her in the eye. She introduces herself as Captain and says she is happy to see a new face. Later, when the group plays a game, Captain chooses the new girl first. At snack time, Captain asks her to be a helper. The new girl decides this is a very good day and she will come back on Sunday. Unbeknownst to the Captain, this new girl will grow up to be a pioneer in the area of youth asset development.
The Search Institute has studied Developmental Assets in the lives of millions of young people, and consistently shows that youth from all backgrounds do better when they have a strong foundation of these strengths in their lives. They have identified 40 different assets which, when present:
- Provide support, opportunities, and relationships youth need across all aspects of their lives (called “external assets”).
- Increase personal skills, self-actualizations, and values needed (called “internal assets”) to make good choices, take responsibility for their own lives, and become independent and fulfilled adults.
The more of these 40 assets a young person has, the more likely he or she is:
- To thrive, now and in the future.
- To stay off drugs and out of trouble.
- To be resilient in the face of challenges.
While not everyone in the corps can be an officer or youth leader, everyone in the corps can become an asset builder. To download a complete list of the 40 developmental assets, log on to: http://page.search-institute.org/40-developmental-assets
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 50 Pray for the young people around you
Day 51 Ask the Lord for wisdom, compassion and grace
Day 52 Pray for an open and receptive spirit to all ages
Day 53 Pray for opportunities to teach skills
Day 54 Pray that the Lord uses you as a mentor
Day 55 Pray for ways to include young people in church ministry
Day 56 Ask God to cause you to be an encourager
April 12-18, 2019
Mission-Focused Ministry
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1, NIV
One of the most well-known verses in the Bible is John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world…” Through His death and resurrection, Jesus showed humanity that God’s love is for everyone, and we need to proclaim it!
“The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ AND to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
Everything we do should hinge on “preaching and reaching” through our words and actions to the whosoever.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 43 Thank God for His love and compassion
Day 44 How can my actions impact my neighborhood?
Day 45 Who needs to see Jesus in me?
Day 46 Speak up for someone else who cannot
Day 47 Show someone compassion
Day 48 Start a friendship with someone who looks, speaks, lives differently from you
Day 49 Ask God to show you new ways to reach out to our neighbors
April 5-11, 2019
SOLDIER DEVELOPMENT
“So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:1-2, The Message
Can you think of at least one leader who stands out as highly competent and worth following? It’s likely that you can also think of at least one leader who struggles, and often fails at even the remote appearance of being qualified to lead. In truth, there are some of us who judge ourselves to be this second leader. How does one even become “a competent leader”? Is it a spiritual gift? Or can any of us work to become the types of leaders to which the whole congregation says, “Amen!”?
The apostle Saul/Paul challenges and encourages young Timothy to give everything he has to living a life, in both word and deed, which encourages others to heed Christ’s message and commission. He likens the teacher’s and leader’s focus on mission and purpose to that of a soldier faithfully fulfilling a duty; fruitful growth to a diligent and disciplined farmer; and incompetence to an athlete who likes to cheat.
If we are to grow as soldiers of the faith and Disciples of Christ, we must commit our whole selves to His work and purpose. We are to seek out the methods and means to develop our faith, to deepen our passion for His Word and way. We are challenged to become the “Amen!” leaders of our homes and congregations. This means that we don’t and won’t make excuses for lack of growth. We will not shift blame or point fingers. In fact, we embrace the idea that “God and I are responsible for my spiritual growth and development.” Come on! Let’s do this! Let’s grow!
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 36 Be God’s hands, feet, and voice today
Day 37 Grow in your desire and need for studying His Word
Day 38 Be ready for each opportunity He provides to teach others
Day 39 Love God by loving, forgiving, extending grace to and serving others
Day 40 Use your resources (Time, Talent, Finances, and Influence) for His purposes
Day 41 Don’t give up when you fail
Day 42 Be “Amen!” leaders and teachers of others
March 29-April 4, 2019
URBAN MINISTRIES
[Read Isaiah 65:17-25]
More people live in urban locations now than at any other time in human history, and are projected to continue to grow. Ministry, urban or otherwise must be holistic. Brenda Salter McNeil, in her book Roadmap to Reconciliation, writes:
“It’s time for the followers of Jesus to embark on the prophetic journey that leads to reconciliation and transformation around the world. Many of us may already be aware of the need for reconciliation in our own backyard. We understand the realities playing out in our own neighborhood, our schools, workplace, political system and culture at large. But a lot of us don’t recognize the prophetic role we can play both at home and abroad. We aren’t yet fully aware of injustices and inequality in our communities, and this understanding and awareness is absolutely essential if we are to be God’s agents of reconciliation. We cannot ignore the plight of the people around us, and as globalization continues its relentless march onward, we cannot turn a blind eye to the world beyond our national borders either. We have to face the realities here at home, and we must also embrace the stories of people all around the world” (p 15).
Isaiah 65 pictures God’s plan for all people and His creation, His earth – not just for some. It speaks to us as his followers, his friends and what our part is in his Kingdom.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 29 Reconciliation with family members (both at home and at the corps)
Day 30 Reconciliation with your neighbor
Day 31 Recognize and address practices of injustice in your work place, school, neighborhood, and city/town
Day 32 Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in diverse friendships
Day 33 Seek ways your corps can promote reconciliation in unfair practices of housing, employment, economic development
Day 34 Pray that in all you do – you do in joy!
Day 35 Pray that God will inhabit cities in every home, every park, every block, and every person
March 22-28, 2019
UNITY IN CHRIST
My knowledge of jigsaw puzzles has come from observing “puzzlers” doing them. And I’ve noticed some parallels to the beloved body of Christ. Here are a few observations:
At the beginning, puzzlers consult the box top for necessary clues to putting the puzzle together. Few attempt to assemble it without looking at the complete picture throughout the process. Puzzlers know that differences matter. Each piece holds a very specific place. Try to force it into a space it was not designed for and it will not fit. Each person’s contribution also matters, whether you put in three or thirty pieces. There is a collective feeling of accomplishment when people, working together, complete it (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Unity in Christ is not uniformity, but the beautiful assembly of different parts functioning together as God intended. We must look continually to the ONE who created the design, for “God made everything with a place and purpose…” (Proverbs 16:4a, The Message)
Where does your piece fit in God’s grand design?
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 22 Pray for an appreciation for God’s creation
Day 23 Give us one focus and purpose
Day 24 Help us to work together for the mission
Day 25 Pray for the Body of Christ – everyone doing their part
Day 26 Help us to love one another with Christ love
Day 27 Help us to live in harmony with one another, resisting division
Day 28 Help us to die to self and learn to live Godly in Christ
March 15-21, 2019
CANDIDATES
What do Nehemiah, Isaiah and William Booth have in common? Nehemiah, while cupbearer to a King heard about the great need of the remnant in Jerusalem and sought the Lord on their behalf and the Lord used him to answer those prayers. Isaiah sought the Lord in a time of grief and sorrow and in that seeking encountered the Lord, hearing those powerful words; “Who will go, whom shall we send?” and his response was to cry out, “here I am, send me!” William Booth, already immersed in effective ministry, prayerfully walked the streets of the East End of London, moved with compassion by the great poverty, depravity and hopelessness he witnessed, went home to tell Catherine that he had found his destiny.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned the words …
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries
Should we sit back and wait for a calling that grips us and compels us to move out of our comfortable and predictable lives? Or can it be that we need to enter into seeking prayer, listen to what the Lord is saying, walk the troubled streets, witness the despair and hopelessness and boldly cry out to God. “Here I am send me!!” Take time in your daily life to look for evidence of God’s presence, recognize He is always calling, always speaking! Take off the preconceptions that keep you on your own path and hear Him … you may just find your destiny.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 15 Is my heart prepared to listen and obey?
Day 16 Pray for courage to step out of the comfortable
Day 17 Am I will to say, “Here am I, send me!”
Day 18 Pray that you will be active in God’s mission
Day 19 Ask the Lord to show you His Presence
Day 20 Pray for opportunities to minister in your Corps and neighborhood
Day 21 Ask God to take away complacency and replace it with spiritual zeal
March 8-14, 2019
Discipleship
“Go and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20, NIV
For most believers (if they’re being fully honest), this last command from Jesus just prior to His return to Heaven to prepare an eternal place for his disciples, is extremely scary. I mean, who are we that others should listen to us, let alone follow our instruction? Even those who have been disciples of Jesus Christ for a while will get notions of not being worthy or qualified to “teach others everything that He has taught us.” What qualifies and prepares us to influence others for Him?
If we trust Jesus enough to accept Him as our Savior, are actively engaged in studying His Word corporately and individually, the *natural result is for us to love God above all, and love and care for others the way we love and care for ourselves. If we love ourselves enough to trust that we will live forever with Christ, it should then follow that we will love others enough to say and do what we can to teach and show them how to become His disciple as well. When we love and serve each other the way that Jesus Christ loves and serves the Church, it is extremely attractive to a world that is weary from fighting for first place, a world that always puts self above everything else. By our love, grace, forgiveness, challenging and strengthening of one another, God’s Spirit can draw them in. What makes this all so doable is that His command is to teach others what He has taught each of us individually, so it’s our own story, our own relationship with Him that we get to share with others.
* Please note that “natural,” in this case, means “as God designed and purposed.”
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 8 Thank God for inviting you to be a part of His design and purpose
Day 9 Thirst and hunger for studying His Word
Day 10 Ready yourself to teach others “all that He has taught us” with the Holy Spirit’s help
Day 11 Love, forgive, serve and extend grace to others
Day 12 Be a good steward of your resources (Time, Talent, Finances and Influence) for His purposes
Day 13 Thank Jesus for choosing you as His disciple
Day 14 Be a living testimony to God’s work in you
March 1-7, 2019
PRAYER
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV
Never underestimate the power of prayer. As a believer, the only divine arsenal that can move God and release His promises in our lives is PRAYER. God is not moved by our personality, status, race or nationality, but by the relationship and time we spend with Him. Prayer fulfills this purpose.
Prayer is a communion with God, a bridge to building a relationship with Him. In essence, prayer has power. When we seek God’s face, we call upon the very Presence of God to intrude in our lives and situations. We give Him permission to act for His honor and glory. This is the foundation of every Christian endeavor. God’s desire is for us to know Him – and we Know Him through relationship and communication.
Be diligent this week in your prayer life. Come before the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth – bring to Him your concerns, thoughts, worries, praises, anxious moments, and then watch and rejoice as God answers each concern with lovingkindness and grace.
Daily Prayer Points:
Day 1 Acknowledge God’s Power
Day 2 Practice giving thanks
Day 3 Recall God’s promises to you
Day 4 Give God permission to intrude in your life
Day 5 Ask the Lord to increase your desire to pray
Day 6 Listen to the Lord
Day 7 Acknowledge your relationship with God through prayer
