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imagesCAPTIVATING
PRAYER ...CREATIVE IDEAS
RELATIONALLEADERSHIP
PHOTOGRAPHER KERI SHAY SHARES
HER STORY
2 Revive
review
Faith Alive
Rhythms of Scripture
Army on its Knees
The Dynamics of Great Commission Prayer
by Janet Munn and Stephen Court
Army on its Knees is a Holy Spirit-inspired book from
beginning to end! it is very useful for personal development
and equally as useful in a small group setting. Written with
passion, you cannot help but catch the urging and focus of
the writers to engage with God. throughout the book there
is a persistent plea to seek God’s face, and although Army
on its Knees is particularly focused towards the Salvation
Army it is equally relevant to any church seeking spiritual
renewal.
A highlight is the final chapter, ‘the place where God
dwells: a house of prayer for all nations’. this chapter
explores God’s dwelling place and brought fresh
understanding of God’s Word to me. throughout the book
there are many ‘how to’ pray explanations which are very
clearly set out, all firmly based on Scripture, and there is a
beautiful blend of ancient and modern writings, bringing
variety and depth.
Even the appendix makes good reading as the General’s
invitation to the Worldwide Prayer meeting joins with the
plea of the book itself. this book is inspirational and
compels the reader to invest time and energy to join an
Army on its Knees.
by Lucille L. Turfrey
the book is a fine collection of lyric poetry or song-poems
compiled for use in personal devotions or as part of public
worship.
the poems are born from personal experience and divine
inspiration, many of which have been composed in the writer’s
prayer room and used for worship during the course of her
extensive ministry. Her appointment as training principal in russia
was the catalyst for much of the poetry contained in faith Alive.
Each poem has a lyrical quality and strong rhythmic pattern,
meaning they have a dual function and can either be read or
sung. A useful index of metrical data is provided which helps in
the selection of suitable Salvation Army tunes for
accompaniment.
the poems are drawn from Scripture, linked to the Salvation
Army soldiers’ Articles of faith, and cover a broad range of
topics. this poetry is suitable for use in a number of different
settings – from small informal house-groups to larger
congregations in more formal settings. in addition to this, the
song-poems can be used for times of reflection and to enhance
worship.
faith Alive is a well-designed resource and a must for every
bookshelf.
Salvo Publishing - National Editorial Department
Australia Southern Territory
www.salvationarmy.com.au/supplies
www.amazon.co.uk
or your nearest Salvation Army Supplies or Trade
Major Julie Forrest
PErSoNAL ASSiStANt to WorLd PrESidENtof WomEN’S miNiStriESiNtErNAtioNAL HEAdQUArtErS
Major Sandra Welch
Editor – The Officer
iNtErNAtioNAL HEAdQUArtErS
CREAtIvE PRAYER IDEAS
19 Tortilla Memory
20 More Than Gold Prayer
21 Standing at the Door
22 Come and See
Revive 3
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05 Captivating ImagesPHotoGrAPHEr KEri SHAy SHArES HEr Story
11 Prayer and FastingBiBLE StUdy
FEAtuRES
REAL LIFE
CoLumnS
10 The Relational LeaderLEAdErSHiP
17 Deepening our Spiritual LifeSPiritUAL LifE
15 Totally Availablemy Story
02 Book Review
04 Editorial
18 The Prayer House
23 Coming events/iQuote
In EvERY ISSuE
APRIL-JUNE 2012
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Front cover: Photo of child in Southern India taken by Keri ShayBack cover: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in English and Korean, illustration by Berni Georges
Articles on any subject of interest
to women in ministry are welcomed
by the editor. to send an article,
write to [email protected]
Subscription details at:
http://sar.my/revsubu
(revive subscription UK)
http://sar.my/revsubo
(revive subscription overseas)
A RESOURCE MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN IN MINISTRY AND MISSION
tHE SALvAtIon ARmY
international Headquarters
101 Queen Victoria Street
London eC4V 4eH
United Kingdom
CONTACT eMAiL ADDReSS: [email protected]
Publisher: Commissioner Sue Swanson, World President of Women’s Ministries
Communications Secretary, Editor-in-Chief, Literary Secretary, IHQ:
Lieut-Colonel Laurie Robertson
Editor: Lieut-Colonel Simone Robertson
Designer: Berni Georges
© Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2012
Founders of the Salvation Army: William and Catherine Booth
Printed in the UK by Lamport Gilbert Printers Ltd
All Bible quotations throughout this edition of revive are from the New international Version 2011 unless stated otherwisetm - the message, GW - God’s Word, NASB - New American Standard Bible, NKSV - New King James Version, KJV - King James Version, GNB - Good News Bible, NLt - New Living translation
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relationally
Lieut-Colonel Simone Robertson EDITOR
editorial
re you tired? Worn out?
Burned out on religion? Come
to me. Get away with me and
you’ll recover your life. I’ll
show you how to take a real rest. Walk with
me and work with me – watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I
won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on
you. Keep company with me and you’ll
learn to live freely and lightly’ (Matthew
11:28-30 TM).
I maintain a close relationship with God
by doing my best to live out what is
outlined in the Scripture above. My
approach is summed up in the words,
‘…Walk with me and work with me… keep
company with me…’.
Staying connected to God, no matter
what is happening in my life, is simply
to be in a love relationship with him.
I know God loves me, and my response is
to love him in return through the way I live
my life, which also involves
much listening and
talking to him.
Daily there are people I pray for, not in
the form of a structured, written down list,
but God brings to my mind people for
whom I have the privilege of being
an intercessor. I love lifting people
before the throne of grace in prayer.
When Laurie (my husband) and
I lead meetings I often prepare a
little gift to give everyone present
which reinforces the theme of the
meeting. As I prepare the gifts I pray for all
who will be receiving them.
Since being in London I travel on the
train to and from the office. I often use this
time to read the Bible on my iPod and it is
amazing how many times a particular verse
has been just what was needed for
myself or to pass on to a
colleague.
For me the best and most
logical way to live out the
international Vision Plan One
Army mission priorities – ‘We
will deepen our spiritual life and
unite in prayer’ – is to connect with God
relationally through praying with others
and by continually communicating with
him.
As you join me in reading this edition
of Revive I pray you will become
absorbed in the many stories of women
who live out their relationship with God.
May you be challenged by the Bible
study resource – ‘Prayer and Fasting’ – and
enjoy the captivating images taken by
photographer Keri Shay of her journey with
God, as well as her honest
answers to some personal
questions that she shares with
us in the feature article.
There are also four pages of
‘creative prayer ideas’ that you can use
personally or in a group. Additionally our
two columnists challenge us to be
‘relational leaders’ and to ‘deepen our
spiritual life’.
I pray we live out the Scripture ‘Never
stop praying’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17 GW).
Let’s do this together!
Joyfully serving Jesus
A‘
speaking
‘LEARN
THE UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE’
Revive 5
feature
When did you realise you had a passion
for photography and how have you
developed your expertise in this field?
KS I took a photography class in high
school and the first picture I ever took in
that class was of a wall. It wasn’t very
captivating! But it means a lot to me as I
look back now and see where God has
taken this gift. As my interest grew, I
discovered that the only way to get better
was to just keep snapping photos. It’s not
like I just picked up a camera and was
able to take professional images. I studied
photography in college and invested in
many different trips in order to pursue this
passion. I went to Haiti, as a freshman in
college, to photograph a Salvation Army
children’s home that needed photos for
sponsorship. This trip really changed my
KEri SHAy is the winner of the international Headquarters All the World
Photographic Competition 2011. She is a freelance photographer living in
Seoul, Korea, but originally from Chicago, illinois, USA.
CoNtiNUEd oN PAGE 8
‘While visiting Faisalabad, Pakistan, I photographed a mother and child programme run by The SalvationArmy. I noticed the light coming in from the door, so I tried to catch it in this photo. This mother was very kind and gentle and I could tell that she wasconcerned about getting the best care for her child.’
‘This photo was taken at a dynamic Home Leaguemeeting in Hyderabad, Pakistan.’
IMAGESCAPTIVATING
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feature
‘I was part of a team from USA Central Territory visiting corps,hospitals, children’s homes andtsunami relief villages in SouthernIndia. This girl with flowers in her hairwas dressed up for a welcome dance.When I see this photo I am reminded of how beautifulIndian culture is, but more than that, this photo servesas a milestone in my journey as a photographer. Thisinspired me to really develop myself as a portraitphotographer and continue to attempt to tell a storythrough the portrait I was taking. It's a blessing to lookback and see how much the Lord has taught me!’
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‘These photos were taken in Islamabad, Pakistan. Rightnext to a wealthy area in Islamabad, is a community calledFrance Colony. This is a very poor area, as shown in thephotos, and it is made up of Christians. The Salvation Armyis in this community and I was able to photograph thecorps and some programmes that take place there. I felt sosafe here amongst believers. Maybe to the world this areawould be considered one of the most undesirable places tolive, yet the people have a hope in Jesus Christ that thisworld can't offer or compare to. These photos remind me of James 2:5 "Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has notGod chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promisedthose who love him?" I was so blessed to have visited thatplace and was encouraged in my faith by the richness inChrist the people possess.’
Revive 7
‘My time in Korea is precious to mebecause God has repeatedly shown hisfaithfulness through various experiencesand relationships. The woman in this photois a dear friend of mine who I captured onher wedding day. This image is much morethan a wedding portrait, but a testimony ofGod’s faithfulness and love during my timein Korea.’
‘This photo is special to me because itreminds me of an incredible worshipservice I was part of in Pakistan. I tookit at a corps outside of Lahore on aSunday morning, when the PakistanTerritorial Commander, Colonel RobertWard, was visiting for the worshipservice. The girl in this photo welcomedus – along with many others – withsongs, dances and flowers. I wanted to capture her beauty and sincerity – I think it comes out in her eyes.’
‘I have developed an interestin food photography. I haveappreciated the opportunitiesGod has given me tophotograph food because Ihave been able to grow as anartist – it is actually quitedifficult and I wouldn't say I'mwell trained in the field! Iappreciate the challenge itbrings and I know that theknowledge I gain will spill overinto other areas of myphotography. If you're trying togrow as a photographer, Iwould suggest trying tophotograph food, you'll bestretched as an artist!’
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feature
Do you have a purpose in taking
photos? If so, what is it, and how do
you try to achieve it?
KS Hopefully the photos I take have
more meaning than just good lighting or
composition. I truly want to share people’s
stories and heart with others. When I’m
shooting a project or person I try to first
understand my surroundings or subject in
order to best capture what is going on.
Whether it’s a school or someone
specifically, I try to take time to get to
know what I’m photographing.
How does photography enhance your
relationship with God?
KS Photography, for me, is one way I
can worship God. He has given me an
opportunity to serve him through this
medium and I take the responsibility very
seriously. Through various photography
focused projects and trips I have been on I
have seen myself grow in my relationship
with the Lord. He’s been with me every
step of the way and that intimacy felt with
him through those experiences is a
treasure for me. God deserves the highest
praise and I hope that the photos I take
bring all the glory to him.
What kinds of comments do people give
you regarding your photographs?
KS Recently I was told, ‘Your ability to
capture a deeper sense of people in your
photo portraits, makes us feel connected
to the faces and souls of folks from
around the world.’ I often receive
comments like this and it confirms that
I’m where I’m supposed to be on this
photography journey. People often express
to me that they are blessed to connect
with their brothers and sisters in Christ
around the world through the different
photographs.
Have there been any times when you
have felt afraid? If so, when, where and
why? If not, why not?
KS After the earthquake in Japan, I was
asked to travel to Sendai with a Salvation
Army team from Korea to photograph the
relief effort. I think that was the only time
I’ve ever felt afraid, just because of the
radiation concern. But there is a test that
you take for radiation at the airport when
entering Korea, so that gave me more
peace of mind after I got the all clear.
What have been the obstacles you have
had to overcome to achieve your goals?
KS Photography is not the easiest field
to enter because it is extremely
competitive and requires patience as you
try to improve yourself as an artist, and
get your work. There’s really no money
involved in the work I try to do with
photography, so it has been an
obstacle trying to maintain a job for my
livelihood and then go on photography
assignments. That might seem like a
Sunday school answer, but it really has
been God and his assurance that have
helped me overcome these stumbling
blocks. When the world has told me to
refocus my goals for photography instead
of using them to further his Kingdom, the
Lord assured me that the path I’m
pursuing does bear fruit. I know that the
most important thing in my life is staying
connected to Jesus and staying on his path
for me.
Do you have any advice for people
wanting to use photographs in
spreading the message of Jesus in
printed formats, on websites and in
social media? If so what is it?
KS Remember who you’re doing it for!
It’s a temptation to find your identity in
the art you put out there, but as Christians
we know where it all comes from. I would
say it’s important to keep up with your
medium and not to settle for how you’ve
always produced art. Study your field and
keep practising it so you can use it to
serve God better. Instead of feeling
discouraged that there will always be
people better than you at photography or
design, be encouraged and grow yourself
as an artist. We know God deserves our
best, so commit what you do to the Lord
and pursue excellence in that given area.
Imagine you were given permission to
place a photograph anywhere in the
world - what would the photo be, where
would you put it and why?
KS I would really love to put a joyful
picture of Pakistan in the White House!
‘I TRY TO FIRST UNDERSTAND MY SUBJECT IN ORDER TO BEST CAPTURE
WHAT IS GOING ON’
‘The Territorial Headquarters in Pakistan is anamazing place that immediately felt like home tome! It’s a community of people living and workingfor God’s kingdom. Along with various officers andstaff living on the compound are these children wholive at the girls’ home there. I was able to take thisphoto of them having fun together as they arrivedhome from school. As you can see they have thejoy of the Lord in their hearts!’
CoNtiNUEd from PAGE 5
life and gave me a vision for what God
wanted me to do with my photos. I want
to show others God’s heart through his
people and that’s why I mostly concentrate
on portraits. He’s given me a passion for
his people.
Revive 9
feature
Keri’s current website is:
www.kerishayphotography.com
After everything that has taken place this
past year and the relationship the USA has
with Pakistan, I feel the picture would
serve as a reminder that the country isn’t
the dark, scary place it’s so often viewed
as. There are vibrant people there doing
incredible things and there’s much to be
learned from them. That would be really
cool!
What has been the most exciting
experience you have had while
photographing?
KS One of the most exciting experiences
I’ve ever had photographing was in
Pakistan. The experience as a whole was a
tremendous blessing and such a gift. It
was a whirlwind trip! Some highlights
included worship services, meeting Sally
Ann women, visiting a tent community,
witnessing community outreach
programmes and even a home league
meeting held on a rooftop in Islamabad –
Pakistan is pretty exciting!
How can photography be used in a
corps/church to encourage people or to
make them feel welcome and part of the
place?
KS I would invest more in using
professional photos in things like blogs or
promotional videos. Those are examples of
the language our generation speaks and
responds to. Photography is a great way to
not only tell a story, but to make a
connection to others or a cause that
sometimes words can’t even describe. Find
out who at your corps has an interest in
photography and get them to start
photographing your ministries.
From your experiences, what are the
elements that make us One Army?
KS There really isn’t anything like
travelling to a new country and seeing The
Salvation Army uniform and suddenly you
feel at home! We know that what makes
us ‘One Army’ is our dedication to the
gospel and the hope we have in Christ. We
serve as one global Army, serving God
and his people. I have had the opportunity
of seeing Salvationists around the world,
though their nationality may be different,
their heart and mission are one. Our
immovable stance in Christ is what makes
us One Army.
How can photographs be used as
resources for mission?
KS Photographs have the power to
evoke powerful emotions inside me,
drawing me close to God. Photography is
one way of showing God’s global Church
and connecting fellow believers. Our
mission as Christ-followers is to love God
above all else and make disciples of all
nations. We know and have seen how
photography can be used to further God’s
Kingdom. Let’s continue to incorporate
photos into various missions projects in
order to spread his truth to the world.
Is there anything else you would like to
share with Revive readers?
KS I just want to encourage them to
pursue their relationship with Jesus above
all else. If we are keeping him as our
focus and hope, our dreams and desires
will be in-line with his. God has gifted us
with various abilities that he wants to see
us use for him. All glory and honour to
him!
‘This photo of a village child was taken innorthern Vietnam when I was on a trek with afriend. Some women and children from thelocal area travelled with us, but I rememberthis girl in particular as she stayed near me forthe majority of the trek. She was a blessing!’
10 Revive
n the USA, we have a few traditional social customs where
mums and dads are the main perpetrators. Because I am not a
sociologist, I’m not sure why we take the time and effort to do
this. But my husband and I are as guilty as the majority of
American parents in this indulgence. For instance, when a child
loses a tooth, he places it under his pillow and the tooth fairy comes
in the middle of the night and takes the tooth away, leaving a small
amount of money in its place.
At Easter, in addition to our celebration of the resurrection of
our Lord, it is the Easter bunny who makes an invisible visit, hiding
sweets and small gifts the children must hunt for. Santa Claus
comes out of his faraway home only once a year. No one ever sees
Lieut-Colonel Susan BukiewiczdiViSioNAL dirECtor for WomEN’S miNiStriES, mEtroPoLitAN diViSioNUSA CENtrAL tErritory
Columnist for 2012
I
Leader
him do his work, but on Christmas morning, mum and dad sit by
while junior is thrilled with the gifts brought to him – not by his
loving parents, but by a person he does not know and will never
meet.
These become almost a tongue-in-cheek anti-leadership model
– the tooth fairy replaces a child’s tooth with a coin, the Easter
bunny demands children hunt for the little trinkets he brings, Santa
only brings gifts to children who have been nice rather than
naughty. When you think about it, it makes no sense at all!
Unfortunately, some leaders lead in this way. Responsible for
a group of people, they resist forming relationships, only
occasionally coming from their faraway ‘homes’ to bestow gifts on
those who have earned them. Or, they make demands in exchange
for coins and require followers to hunt for the favour.
As Christ-follower leaders, our foundation for relational
leadership is found in the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John
13:35 ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another.’ The New Testament Church God intended
to partner with in his great plan for redeeming the world had one
distinguishing mark – the mark of love that comes from humanity
being united by its union with a Holy God, profoundly committed
to one another because the one they have committed their lives to
is a God who defines himself as love! These are people – leaders
of the first century and Church whose identity in the world was
found in their relationships; fellowship, sharing, actively living out
agape love. We don’t love from a distance. We don’t love at arm’s-
length. Consequently, we don’t lead from a distance or at
arm’s-length.
What is the lesson for us, relational leader? We can’t be the
leaders God intends if we withhold our presence from those we
serve. Love demands we be in relationship with the God of love
and with one another – united in worship, fellowship, service
and prayer.
‘WE DON’T LOVEFROM A DISTANCE.WE DON’T LOVE AT ARMS-LENGTH’
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Revive 11
PR
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Lieut-Colonel Janet Munn
is intrinsically a link between fasting and
hypocrisy. A classic case of throwing out
the baby with the bathwater!
READ MATTHEW 9:14-15When Jesus is asked why his disciples
feast while the Pharisees fast, he
replies that you don’t fast while
you’re with the bridegroom for a
pre-wedding celebration. Satan
distorts this teaching, too, causing
many Christians to assume: ‘Well,
Jesus is still with us and he hasn’t
actually married “the bride” yet, so I
guess fasting isn’t necessary!’ However,
verse 15 states clearly that Jesus would be
‘taken away’ from the disciples, after
which they would fast. If we forget verse
15, we remove a potent spiritual weapon
from our arsenal and leave ourselves more
vulnerable to temptation.
Many giants of the Christian faith were
devoted to fasting. Yet even their example
has perversely been used to dissuade
believers from fasting. There is the
argument from modesty: ‘Who am I to
reach for such heights?’ Or the argument
from fear: ‘What if it’s too hard? What if
striving to be better prompts a spiritual
attack?’ Too often, this kind of thinking
leads Christians to settle for less than God
intends for them.
As well as asking how Satan deceives us
in this way. It’s also worth asking why he
deceives us in this way. Our answer:
fasting, when wielded by a godly warrior,
is a supernaturally powerful weapon.
THE LORD’S EXPECTATIONSIn the Old Testament, fasting is often a
pre-requisite for revival.
READ JOEL 2:15 – GOD’S CHALLENGE READ JOEL 2:28 – GOD’S PROMISE
What do you think is the connection
between fasting and Holy Spirit
outpouring?
How often do we choose self-indulgence
and fleshly satisfaction over self-denial
and spiritual vitality?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught
his disciples how to pray and fast. It was
his expectation that they would do both.
READ MATTHEW 6:5, 16-17 What should our expectation be?
Remember Jesus’ words: ‘If anyone would
come after me, he must deny himself’
(Matthew 16:24).
JESUS OUR MODELJesus is truly and properly God. He is our
Redeemer and Saviour. However, he is
also truly and properly human. The signs
and wonders he displayed, the purity he
exhibited, the compassion and mercy he
demonstrated – all of these are possible
for us as well.
READMATTHEW 6:18The Bible instructs
us not to make a big deal of
fasting. It is properly done so discreetly
that others don’t even know about it.
Satan has exaggerated this counsel into a
command never to talk about fasting. As a
result, even devout Christians hear so little
about fasting that they assume it is
irrelevant or obsolete.
READ MATTHEW 6:16Here, Jesus tells us not to look sombre
while fasting, ‘as the hypocrites do’. Most
Christians rightly recoil as soon as they
hear someone say ‘hypocrite’, so
determined are they not to be associated
with this ugly word. Unfortunately, Satan
has used this impulse as a way to frighten
people away from fasting, as though there
FASTING is a puzzle.It is a powerful spiritual discipline, yet Satan has
warped our understanding of it so much that many Christians don’t practise it. How did thishappen? Like so many of theenemy’s schemes, it began
with a distortion of Scripture.
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PR
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bible study
READ JOHN 20:21 NASBHe is the example for us - not only to
imitate, but surpass.
READ JOHN 14:12 NASB=How can this be?
=How can we do ‘greater’ things
than Christ did?
=What does it mean to be ‘sent’
by Jesus?
In The Hidden Power of Prayer and
Fasting1, Mahesh Chavda likens our task
to that of a gymnast. Just as gymnasts
must master elementary moves, such as
the forward roll, before they can master
more advanced ones, so we must practise
the ‘first works’ of Jesus before we can
accomplish the ‘greater’ works he
promised.
READ LUKE 4:1-2, 36Before commencing his public ministry,
Jesus went into the wilderness to fast for
40 days. It was thus after fasting that Jesus
began ministering with ‘authority and
power’. If fasting was a key to Jesus’
effectiveness, it must be so for his
disciples. Fasting and prayer are the ‘first
works’ we must perform if we want to do
the greater works to which Christ calls us.
AUTHORITY VS. POWERREAD MATTHEW 17:14-21The Gospel of Matthew tells us of the
disciples’ inability to free a boy from
demonic torment. After driving out the
demon himself, Jesus rebuked his
disciples for their ineffectiveness. He
expected them to perform miracles; after
all, he had given them the authority to do
so (Matthew 10:1). However, only those
who have been spiritually and physically
disciplined through prayer and fasting can
exercise such authority. As believers, we
will face challenges and confront evils
that can only be overcome in this way. We
therefore neglect the ‘fasted life’ to our
own detriment.
THE PURPOSE OF FASTINGFasting has often been one means of ‘self-
denial’. It is a voluntary practice whereby
we lay down certain privileges and deny
or delay our appetites. Short of physical
death, fasting is one way to relinquish
aspects of life such as food, comfort,
appetites and indulgences.
Today most societies in the West are prone
to overeating. It might even be said of us
what Paul said of the ‘enemies of the
cross of Christ. Their god is their stomach’
(Philippians 3:18-19). In such a context,
fasting is a radical practice. Through
fasting we affirm that we do not live by
bread alone, but by every word that comes
from the mouth of God. By fasting we
declare that our hunger for God is greater
than our hunger for our next meal.
God does not change and cannot be
manipulated. Our fasting does not
persuade him to do something against his
will. We are the ones changed through
fasting. The psalmist David wrote that he
humbled himself with fasting (Psalm
35:13).
When we are aware of someone in
trouble, we can enter into fasting and
prayer for them, setting aside our appetites
and physical comfort for the sake of that
person. Fasting helps us redirect our
energies toward God, toward the
Scriptures and toward intercession. It is
one way to deny yourself, take up your
cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24).
BENEFITS OF FASTING=Through fasting we humble ourselves.
We know that God gives grace and favour
to the humble.
James 4:10
=Fasting gives us power over temptation.
Luke 4
=Fasting and praying gives us a clearer
understanding of God’s will.
Acts 13:1-3, 14:23
=What would happen if we fasted when
approaching important decisions?
PIONEERS OF PRAYER AND FASTING=Queen Esther – Esther 9:29-32
Called her people to enter a corporate fast
for their deliverance.
=John the Baptist – Mark 1:1-8
Lived perhaps the ultimate ‘fasted
lifestyle’.
=Cornelius – Acts 10:30-33 NKJV
God spoke to him about visiting Peter, an
encounter that led to a pivotal new
understanding of the gospel’s universality.
=Daniel – Daniel chapter 9
As a gesture of both personal and
collective repentance
=Jesus – Luke 4:1-2
Began his public ministry immediately
after a fast.
The church fathers Polycarp and Tertullian
fasted. So did Martin Luther, John Calvin
and John Knox. John Wesley was so
committed to fasting that he would not
approve candidates for ministry who did
not fast twice a week! How would that
policy affect leader recruitment today?
Whenever he felt that his spiritual strength
was waning, Charles Finney would
immediately enter a three-day fast. After a
fast, Finney would be so filled with the
Holy Spirit that people felt an
overwhelming sense of conviction at the
mere sight of him.
‘Our fasting does notpersuade God to dosomething against hiswill. We are the oneschanged throughfasting’
1mahesh Chavda, The hidden Power of Prayer and fasting, destiny image, Shippensburg, PA, 1998.
Fastingand
Prayer
Revive 13
PR
AY
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fA
ST
ING
bible study
Jonathan Edwards and Charles Haddon
Spurgeon fasted in order to be more
effective in the pulpit. Surely a
worthwhile investment!
WHICH FAST?There are many ways to fast. Some fasts
are routine, others are extraordinary or
‘occasional’. God may call you to refrain
from something harmless simply in order
to re-establish your priorities, or to abstain
from harmful practices.
In Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A
Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts2, Elmer
Towns catalogues the various fasts
described in the Bible. These include:
=The ‘Samuel fast’ – a way of seeking the
Lord’s guidance (1 Samuel chapter 7)
=The ‘Ezra fast’ – a way of seeking his
protection (Ezra 8:21-22)
=The ‘Elijah fast’ – individuals crying out
to God in times of trouble (1 Kings 19:2-8)
=The ‘Disciples’ fast’ – a way of
developing the spiritual authority to heal
and cast out demons (Matthew 17:21
NASB [this verse is not in all translations])
=The ‘Saint Paul fast’ – for individual
spiritual insight (Acts chapter 27)
=The ‘Daniel fast’ – for physical health
and strength (Daniel 1:8-16)
=The ‘Esther fast’ – a fast for deliverance
(Esther 4:16)
‘WHEN YOU FAST…’Which type of fast does God desire for
you? Are you called to enter a short-term
‘refreshing’ fast, or a long-term season of
fasting, such as over the 40 days of Lent?
God may be calling you to a lifestyle of
continuous abstention from something.
Fasting is one of the best ways to re-
establish – in your spirit and in your
habits – God as the foremost passion of
your life. No matter how innocuous it may
seem, anything that crowds out God
should cede way to him through fasting.
FASTING AS A CALL TO VOLUNTARY WEAKNESSFasting embodies the paradoxes of God’s
kingdom. Look at its manifestations:
Losing leads to finding Matthew 10:39
Dying leads to living 2 Corinthians 4:11
Romans 4:25 and 5:10
1 John 3:14
Giving leads to receiving Luke 6:38
Colossians 3:22-24
Matthew 10:8
Humility leads to exaltationJames 4:10
1 Peter 5:6
Weakness leads to strength 2 Corinthians 12:9
Fasting is about God’s strength revealed in
our weakness. It is about denying oneself
for the glory of Christ – and for the
benefit of others.
2 Corinthians 12:15 This is a kingdom
principle. There are two kinds of
weakness: involuntary and voluntary.
Involuntary weakness arises from
persecution, calamity and demonic
attacks. Fasting is a form of voluntary
weakness: its purpose is for God’s power
to be perfected in us.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
DISCIPLINE THE APPETITES, NOURISH THE SPIRIT
Why fast?Traditional fasting: physical nourishment
is sacrificed for spiritual nourishment.
Prayer: time is sacrificed for communion
with God.
Giving: resources are sacrificed for others.
Silence: pride is sacrificed for spiritual
attentiveness.
You are not your own; you were bought at
a high price. Your body is the temple of
the Holy Spirit. You belong to God. He
wants your spirit fed as well as your body.
We often forget that when our physical
appetites are not in sync with the Holy
Spirit, our spiritual capacity is diminished.
What are you doing to nourish your
spirit?
In the desert, the Israelites put their
appetite for food and drink before
everything else – even freedom.
Numbers 11:4-6
The Psalmist tells us that God granted
their desire, but at a steep cost.
Psalm 106:15
Your stomach is a false god and will leave
you unsatisfied. Dethrone it…through
fasting!
2Elmer towns, fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical fasts, regal Books Publications, Ventura, CA, 1996.
Fastingand
Prayer
14 Revive
bible study
PR
AY
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fA
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Synopsis of Scriptural Fasts
To avert calamity:= 1 Samuel 7:6= Jonah 3:3-5= Joel 1:14
1
To experience the power of
God in personal ministry:= Jesus= Elijah (1 Kings 19)= Martin Luther, John Wesley = and Charles Finney
2
For revival:= John the Baptist (Matthew 11:18)= Anna (Luke 2:37)= Apostle Paul (Acts 13:2-3)= Joel 1:14 and 2:15ff= Matthew 6:16-17
3
As an expression of
sorrow or mourning:
= David’s sorrow
= (Psalm 69:10)
= Saul and Jonathan = (2 Samuel 1:12)
= Abner (2 Samuel 3:35)
= David’s infant son = (2 Samuel 12:16-23)
4
The ‘bridegroom fast’:
Matthew 9:15
7
Over the sin of a
nation or city:
= 1 Samuel 7:6
= Nehemiah 9
= Jonah 3:5
5
Preparation for a divine assignment:
= Nehemiah 1:4
= Ezra 8:21
= Daniel 10:2-3
= Acts 13:1-2
= Acts 14:23
6
=How would routine fasting and prayer
affect your lives, both individually and
as a community of faith? How would it
help you to become more like Christ?
=How are you willing to sacrifice –
what appetites are you willing to deny –
in order to establish God’s kingdom on
the earth?
Janet Munn
SECrEtAry for SPiritUAL
LifE dEVELoPmENt
ASSoCiAtE PriNCiPAL iCo
=Are you seeing ‘greater works’
in your community? What is the
relationship between these works
and the discipline of fasting?
May God inspire us to enter into the ‘first
works’ of Jesus and may the result be a
surge of ‘greater works’ in our midst .
Why not try each of these seven fasts this year?
this Bible study is taken
from chapter five of the book Army on its
Knees that is reviewed in this edition
of revive.
Fastingand
Prayer
Revive 15
my story
Home! Being the child of Salvation
Army officers it’s hard to know where
home is. Even though I was born in
Brazil, I spent most of my childhood in
England. Eventually returning to the
country of my birth and having been there
for the past 12 years, I had no plans to live
in the United Kingdom – at least not for
an extended period of time – until
unexpectedly, just over a year ago things
changed.
My soul had been restless for a while.
Even though I was deeply involved in
many activities at my corps, I was tired
and longing for something more, trying to
recognise what it was and how to find it. I
wanted more from life and from my
relationship with God. ‘There must be
more than this’ was a phrase that
constantly echoed inside me.
A cLEAR cALL
I started to pray, waiting and searching for
a new opportunity – whatever it might be.
In November 2010, with the help of a
Brazilian friend who was working at the
ICO/CSLD, the Associate Principal and
Secretary for Spiritual Life Development,
Lieut-Colonel Janet Munn contacted me.
We had never met, but I had watched
one of her lectures online during the
World Youth Convention in July 2010 and,
consequently, we became Facebook
friends. She emailed me and said she had
been praying for someone to come and
work at the CSLD as an intern. The
position was to specifically help with the
launch of the Global Call to 24-7 Prayer,
just one month away, and my name had
scrolled across her mind.
As I read those words I was confident
they were the confirmation I needed. At
the time, the colonel didn’t know that I
‘“THERE MUST BE MORETHAN THIS” WAS A
CONSTANT PHRASE THATECHOED INSIDE OF ME’
available
had just returned from an extended
trip to Greece. Having been caught
up in the confusion of strikes that
were happening at the time, I felt a
certain relief to walk through the doors of
The Cedars, the main house of the
International College for Officers and
Centre for Spiritual Life Development
(ICO/CSLD) in London. I had come in
and out of that building daily for the past
few months, but this time it was different.
My heart was filled with peace, I felt safe,
I felt loved, I was finally home.
I
Stephanie Parker Chagas
16 Revive
my story
had a month’s holiday in England starting
in two weeks time. Being half British I
had no passport or visa issues, so I could
stay in the country as long as necessary.
I quit my job the next day and had
little time to prepare everything for my
departure. It was one thing to go for a
holiday, but quite another to move away
for a year! It also wasn’t easy to leave the
ministry I had in the corps, my family and
friends, but I knew this was what I had to
do. I knew that such a time as this had
been ordained by the Lord.
LIfE AT IcO/cSLD
Being a journalist my desire is to share the
news, and this is what I am doing at the
CSLD. I am helping resource Salvationists
by providing them with tools that assist
them to develop their relationship with
Christ as they seek to become more like
him. Through the Global Call to 24-7
Prayer, an element of my task has been to
encourage others to be part of the Day and
Night Cry for Justice
(www.saglobal247.org). It has been a
privilege to rejoice with Salvation Army
locations all over the world developing
prayer, creating prayer rooms, starting
24-7 prayer and receiving testimonies of
what the Lord has been doing.
The ICO/CSLD is an oasis. It is a
restful and refuelling layover for those
who stay here, allowing them to pause in
their journey for personal enrichment and
spiritual growth. Through this whole
experience I have found ways to nourish
the longings of my soul, through a deeper
awareness, the practice of prayer and other
spiritual disciplines. Some of my richest
moments have been in my quiet times with
the Lord.
It has also been a great experience to
learn more about the work of the Army
around the world sharing with other
volunteers in our weekly spiritual
formation group, and learning so much
from the officer staff and delegates who
attend each ICO session. It is an honour to
witness their faithfulness and service to
God and others, to learn from their
cultures, hear about their challenges and
envision their dreams.
Many times I have asked myself, ‘why
me?’ The Salvation Army is full of
talented, inspiring young people – surely
there is someone more capable, more
extrovert than I am and more suited to
accomplish this task! Then I’m challenged
to remember that God delights in me and
loves me just as I am, because that is who
he has created, called and wants to
continue to work in and through!
‘Even before the world was made, God
had already chosen us to be his through
our union with Christ, so that we would be
holy and without fault before him.
Because of his love God had already
decided that through Jesus Christ he would
make us his sons [and daughters] – this
was his pleasure and purpose’ (Ephesians
1:4,5 GNB)
I am uncertain about what the future
holds, what it will bring or where I will
establish my home after I leave the
ICO/CSLD. However, I know God is
preparing me for something, wherever it
may be, whatever it may involve. I want to
be available – sharing with others what I
have learned – trying to make a difference.
VoLUNtEEr iNtErN At tHE iNtErNAtioNAL
CENtrE for SPiritUAL LifE dEVELoPmENt
Stephanie Parker Chagas
for information on serving as a
volunteer intern at the international
Centre for Spiritual Life development
visit:
www.SalvationArmySpiritualLife.org
or email:
‘I KNOW GOD IS PREPARING ME FORSOMETHING, WHEREVER IT MAY BE, WHATEVER ITMAY INVOLVE’
Revive 17
Columnist for 2012
Major Molvie Graham
spiritual life
he prayer of a righteous person is powerful and
effective’ (James 5:16).
Salvationists believe in our 10th Doctrine that ‘it is
the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified,
and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’.
Being saved is the first stage of the Christian’s journey. With
the help of the Holy Spirit, our spiritual lives can be deepened.
What we say we believe should be evidenced in our thoughts and
expressed in action and speech.
We are bombarded by evil on every side, but God calls us into
a close and holy relationship with him. As his people we need to
guard against contamination by societal norms that conflict with
God’s laws. ‘For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore
sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy’ (Leviticus
11:44 KJV).
We cannot live superficial spiritual lives, but are compelled to
strive daily to overcome the darkness of sin and aim for excellence
as Paul encouraged us to do, ‘And yet I will show you the most
excellent way’ (1 Corinthians 12:31).
God has provided the way and the tools for this special
relationship that he shares with us. It is a way of love and gives us
the opportunity to mentor others into the Kingdom.
Mentoring Others in the FaithA deep spiritual life will enable us to nurture the ‘babes in Christ’
by teaching and encouraging them, as they seek direction and
confirmation in their faith. Like Paul and Timothy’s relationship –
it will ‘bear much fruit’.
As God’s people, we need to avoid divisive factors such as ‘the
us and them’ syndrome that the General has written about. In Christ
we are one!
Good examples of administrating God’s power
invested in us and sensitivity to the effect of our
actions on others, can produce growth in the various
sectors of our work. Additionally, thoughtfulness to
the ideas of visionaries will help the Army.
We need to get to the root cause of failings and setbacks and
deal with them in mature spiritual ways seeking God’s guidance as
we do.
United in Prayers of FaithPrayer remains one of the world’s greatest needs. As we walk
around the streets in our uniforms, the cry still comes, ‘Captain,
please pray for me!’ Our trust and confidence in God, who has
never ceased to work miracles for his children, encourages us to
seek him.
In recent times in our city – Kingston, Jamaica – God has
poured out his Spirit on corps that are united in prayer and souls are
being won for him.
If we unite in prayer, deepen our spiritual lives
and are spiritually nourished by God’s Word, he
will continue to pour blessings on us – uniting us
as One Army. Our part is to be righteous and our
prayer will be effective.
deepen
ing
T‘
ourspiritual life
‘WE CANNOTLIVE SUPERFICIALSPIRITUAL LIVES’
Living out our faith
Editor, CAriBBEAN tErritory
18 Revive
‘THEY ALL JOINED TOGETHER cONSTANTLY IN PRAYER’ (AcTS 1:14)
theprayerhouse
The following comments were given
by the commissioners when asked by
Revive to provide some advice that
would assist women in their praying.
my dear sisters in Christ, i want to
encourage you that we are not alone our
God is able to do wonders in our prayer
life if we will listen to his voice. He can
change everything for good in the blink of
an eye. my favourite prayer song is
William Walford’s ‘Sweet hour of prayer’
(SASB 633).
Commissioner Rosemary Makina
ZSWM - Africa
As i go through the various seasons of
life, i have found that patterns and
subjects of my prayer life have changed.
recently my focus has been more for
those who are suffering through illness
and physical difficulties. i have found that i
pray more throughout the day – when
people, concerns, or situations come to
mind, i pause and pray. to me, that is
Christ saying this person or situation
needs my prayers right now.
Prayer is important. God does answer
prayer!
Commissioner Gillian Bosh
ZSWM - Americas and Caribbean
take time to stop. remove yourself for a
few minutes from the practicalities of life
and be quiet before the Lord. this time is
for you.
Be patient. God’s timing is not always our
timing!
Commissioner Janet Street
ZSWM - Europe
Give specific time to pray and keep a
prayer book so that you can list the
answers to prayer and give thanks to God
for them.
Commissioner Lalhlimpuii
ZSWM - South Asia
Abbot John Chapman’s saying, ‘Pray as
you can and not as you can’t’ is important
and true. the different stages of a
woman’s life, which God has designed,
do affect her prayer life. God knows that a
mother with young children, or women
with other constant demands, cannot
take time to pray
Prayer is vital for each of the fiveSalvation Army Zonal Secretariesfor Women's Ministries (ZSWM).They are (from left) CommissionersAstrid Herring, Rosemary Makina,Gillian Bosh, Lalhlimpuii and Janet Street.
sustain the type of prayer life of a woman
who has more control over her time. it’s
important to realise that different stages
come and go, and God will accept and
guide a woman who desires to be in
communion with him at every stage of life
Get to know how God has formed your
personality and how this affects the way
in which you can best communicate
with him.
one thing i found helpful was learning that
there were different ways in which people
felt that they best connected with God.
Some of these are: being in God’s
outdoor ‘cathedrals’, discussing
Scripture/theology with others, through
worship/music gatherings, through
contemplation or solitude, or through
‘getting out there’ and doing things for
God with others. most people find that
they have a combination of preferences,
one major way and one minor.
Commissioner Astrid Herring
ZSWM - South Pacific and East Asia
take time
Revive 19
know that Jesus used ordinary
everyday household items to
teach deep spiritual truths, that
lampstands, yeast and persistent
women were all used to impress the
eternal into our daily lives, but I was not
ready for my tortilla moment when it came
along.
For weeks now certain food items have
been unavailable at our local store. At first
it was unimportant, then it moved to be
irritating and after a while it became
deeply annoying! Without certain items I
could not serve the meals we like to eat.
In anticipation of the tortilla moment, I
need to explain that my husband and I
were preparing to lead Self-Denial Sunday
in Papua New Guinea (PNG). You think
you know what a Self-Denial Sunday is,
until you have to lead one in a land that is
not affluent and brimming with resources.
So that morning, in my quiet time, I asked
God to make me sensitive to the whole
issue of sacrificial giving.
So back to the tortilla moment. If you
don’t know what a tortilla is, I should
explain, that it is like a floury pancake you
fill with meat and vegetables. If they could
not be bought at the shops I would make
them, how hard could it be? I looked up a
recipe on the Internet and went back to the
already-barren shop for the ingredients.
Flour, yes they had that. Lard or
shortening, no they did not have that and
did not even know what it was when I
asked for it! My husband suggested an
alternative. I was not sure about it, but
since there were no other options I had to
take it. And so the baking lesson began.
Mix the ingredients together – I managed
that – then knead for 10 minutes. I seemed
to be working and stretching dough for
ages but my watch said only two minutes
had passed. Ten minutes seems like a
really long time to be doing something so
simple.
And then it started. As I worked the
ingredients together I thought of the
millions of women all over the world,
working their bread with their hands each
day so their families can eat. I was joining
with them in something so ordinary – yet
essential. For them there is no other
option, no shop down the road to provide
the ready-made item. There are women
here in PNG and on all parts of the globe
who will be walking miles today to fetch
water (which is not always safe) for
families to wash, to clean, to cultivate
plants and to prepare food.
There are long journeys to be taken
when women and men carry their children
to someone who may be able to relieve
their sickness. And all of that activity
takes up an inordinate amount of time and
effort. Our Self-Denial money will go to
people living just such lives.
The tortillas were not bad for a first
attempt. There were still some ingredients
left over which would go bad if not used
straight away, so I made a second batch.
This time I used my 10 minutes kneading
time to practise the presence of God, in
much the same way as a young monk
learned in another kitchen years ago (see
The Practice of the Presence of God – by
Brother Lawrence). I asked God to bless
our Army as we seek to bring relief to
those who work with very few resources,
praying also that the lesson in sensitivity
that I had learned would not be forgotten.
God has ways of changing us as we
are open to him. If I am attuned to him as
I live through any day, God can speak to
me and teach me lessons. He can
challenge me about my attitude, chide me
about my relationships, invite me to make
a phone call and prompt me to pray about
someone he puts on my heart.
God promises that he will be with us
when we choose to live in the experience
of practising his
presence.
prayer
‘WITHOUT CERTAIN ITEMS I COULD NOT SERVE THEMEALS WE LIKE TO EAT’
i
Lieut-ColonelChris Webb
tErritoriAL
SECrEtAry for
WomEN’S miNiStriES
PAPUA NEW GUiNEA
tErritory
Tortilla Moment
20 Revive
or the past three years the
Christian Church in the United
Kingdom (UK) has been uniting
under the banner of More Than
Gold in order to make the most of the
opportunities that are presented
during the London 2012
Olympic Games. The
Salvation Army is a key
partner in this and a task
force at territorial
headquarters has been
planning a strong Salvation
Army presence during the
Games, both in local
communities and around main
venues.
This year the Army will be the first
Christian denomination to host an
Olympic event – the mountain biking –
which will take place at Hadleigh Farm,
purchased 121 years ago by William
Booth. This is a huge privilege and one we
want to celebrate.
Salvationists are also involved in a
number of other ways – one area is the
Athletes Family Homestay programme.
Members of our congregations will open
their homes for up to eight days to host
the members of athletes’ families who
would normally not be able to afford the
price of accommodation in London.
Many of our people will also act
as Games Pastors, providing
support to those who may
find themselves in need.
As we have done in past
games, The Salvation Army
will provide water to
commuters and spectators as
they wait for transport or walk to
venues. We also aim to have a strong
presence along the Olympic Torch Relay
route with our canteen vehicles providing
refreshments for people as they wait for
the torch to pass by.
On a local level, many corps and
centres are planning opening ceremony
events, games-themed holiday kids clubs,
sports days, festivals with other churches
and prayer events, to name a few. Some
will also use the opportunity to raise
awareness of the various social justice
issues which rise around major sports
events, including human trafficking and
homelessness.
We invite you to pray for us…please!
With so much going on, we want to see
God glorified and his name lifted high!
Sarah-Jane Alley
F
ideas
Creativeprayer 8
Here are five areas of prayerthat we would encourage you to use.
PRAY FOR THIS NATION TO BE FILLED WITH A
NEW PASSION FORJESUS AND FOR
JUSTICE
morE tHAN GoLd CoordiNAtor
top: testing out the Hadleigh Farm olympic
mountain bike course.
Left: Salvation Army sports ministry team members
providing water at Atlanta olympics.
More Than Gold Prayer
1 Planning of the More Than Gold team at
tHQ, corps and centres.
2.Places where the games will take place
and where the torch will travel to be filled
with Christ’s light
3.Participants, including athletes, family
Homestay hosts, Games Pastors and the
international mission teams from other
territories that will come and witness for
Jesus on our streets.
4.Power of God to move throughout the
territory as corps and centres seize every
opportunity to get involved in the olympic
celebrations, speaking and living the love
of Jesus.
5.Purpose, pray for this nation to be filled
with a new passion for Jesus and for
justice. Pray also for the Church in the UK
to emerge after the Games as a more
united, active and prayerful body of people.
God is doing a new thing in the UK and
many believe that through the activities of
2012 we will a see breakthrough and
transformation in Jesus’ name!
Revive 21
hen visiting an historic
abbey in the United
Kingdom, I was intrigued
to find this door tucked
away just inside the main entrance. Do
you notice the small door within the door?
It caused me to ask a number of questions.
Why choose such a design?
What was its purpose?
How practical was it?
How often was it used?
Did anyone ever get stuck in it?
My imagination started running away
with me. Was the smaller door used to let
the cat out at night? Was it for the children
to escape through? Was it actually a
security measure so that visitors could
state their business or letters and packages
Revelation 3:20 be passed through rather than opening the
main door? It would have been an
excellent safety measure, reducing the risk
of those on the other side coming under
attack.
But then I thought about the position
of the smaller door. It must have been
strategic. It would have been difficult to
conduct a conversation through the door.
The only way to see each other’s face
would be for both parties to kneel or
crouch down. It would also have been
difficult for an opponent to catch the guard
unaware or to force the door open in order
to gain entry. A soldier would not pass
through the small doorway easily. In terms
of danger, only small obstacles could be
thrown through the gap. Therefore, those
inside could be deliberate in who or what
they chose to let in or keep outside the
entrance. Perhaps the smaller door is not
such a silly idea after all!
It reminded me of Jesus’ words
recorded in Revelation 3:20 – ‘Look! I
stand at the door and knock. If you hear
my voice and open the door, I will come
in, and we will share a meal together as
friends.’ (NLT)
We often relate this verse when we are
leading seekers to Christ and inviting them
to share at the banquet table with Jesus
and other believers. However, I believe the
challenge and application of this verse is
to those who are already believers and
followers of Jesus. How often do we hold
back on giving him our all?
When Jesus knocks on our door, how
much of our commitment do we give him
– enough to just get the task done or our
whole being?
When we face difficult circumstances,
how much do we share with God – a small
portion or the whole story?
When Jesus convicts us of sin and we
seek his forgiveness, how much of our sin
do we give him – the portion we are not
ashamed to confess or the full measure?
I guess it comes down to this. How
much of our lives are we willing to give to
God? Will we open our heart wide or do
we only want him to be partially aware of
what is happening?
What about from the opposite
perspective? How committed are we to
knowing God? Do we want God to fully
open the door of his heart to us or do we
just want a part of his revelation because
we don’t know what it is he will reveal to
us or require of us?
It is a personal decision as to which
door we open to God, but I know which
door he would desire.
May my life be lived with a door wide
open to you Lord!
ideas
Creativeprayer 8
UNdEr SECrEtAry
SoUtH PACifiC ANd
EASt ASiA ZoNE,
iNtErNAtioNAL
HEAdQUArtErS
Lieut-Colonel Jennifer Groves
W
‘DO WEWANT
GOD TOFULLY
OPEN THEDOOR OFHIS HEART
TO US?’
Standing at the Door
FORWARD! IN CONFIDENCE, UNITY AND POWER
22 Revive
ome and See is a series of 12
Bible studies which have been
compiled to fit in with the
chosen theme for Women’s
Ministries in 2012. These studies came
about after a request was made from
Africa for a Bible study resource. The
Centre for Spiritual Life Development
(CSLD) partnered with the World
President of Women’s Ministries,
Commissioner Sue Swanson, and a group
of women with a particular interest in
Africa in the forming of a working party
to produce this resource.
Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare, (the
then Executive Assistant to the Secretary
for Spiritual Life Development), currently
the Principal of SALT College in Nairobi,
co-ordinated the group. As the studies
were intended for use in Africa they were
written in English and translated into
Portuguese and French. While the studies
were being written it became clear that
they were applicable to all women and did
not need to be restricted for use in Africa,
therefore in January 2012 they were
circulated to all territorial presidents and
secretaries for Women’s
Ministries (TPWM and
TSWM) around the
Army world. Since
then they have been
translated into Spanish
and German.
One of the great things
about these Bible studies is the
cost – they are free! You simply need to
ask your divisional director for women’s
ministries to contact your TPWM and she
will e-mail a copy to you.
So what are the studies about?The studies pick up on the theme of Come
and see, and the invitation is given to
Come and see the world God made, Come
and see God’s deliverance, Come and see
God’s awesome work in our lives plus nine
more studies. They start with the Old
Testament and follow through Scripture to
the last study which is Come and
see…then go and tell! As they progress to
the resurrection of Jesus, the studies can
be taken in a timeline order or can be
explored at various seasons in the year.
They are suitable for
Christmas, Easter or
Harvest.
Each study follows
the same three-stage
format. Firstly, the study
considers ‘What the Bible
Says’, followed by ‘Our lives
or Our world today’ and, finally a
‘Discussion’ section.
As Commissioner Sue Swanson invites
us to Come and See in 2012, we pray that
this resource will be widely used to bring
women into a deeper knowledge of our
living God. If you haven’t already used
this resource, why not gather a group of
women around you and explore together
the exciting reality that we can each Come
and See the amazing things God is doing –
and join in!
C
ideas
Creativeprayer 8
WHILE THE STUDIES WERE BEINGWRITTEN IT BECAME
CLEAR THAT THEY WEREAPPLICABLE TO ALL
WOMEN
Come&See
Major Julie Forrest
PErSoNAL ASSiStANt to WorLd PrESidENt of WomEN’S miNiStriESAt iNtErNAtioNALHEAdQUArtErS
FORWARD! IN CONFIDENCE, UNITY AND POWER
Revive 23
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With Commissioners Robert and Janet StreetInternational Europe Zone
faith is not a leap in the darkbut into the light of God.
CommISSIonER bEttY mAtEAR
com
ingevents
E U R O P E C O N G R E S S PRAGUE, czEcH REPUbLIc 12-14 OcTObER 2012
if my life is surrendered to God,all is well. Let me not grab it
back, as though it were in peril inhis hand but would be safer in mine.
ELISAbEtH ELLIot
Prayer is the exercise ofthe spirit as thought is the
exercise of the mind.
mARY F SmItHi'm the Lord'smaid, ready toserve. Let it be withme just as you say.
mARY – Luke 1:38 (TM)
God is the friend of silence . . . the morewe receive in silent prayer, the more we
can give in active life.
motHER tERESA