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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

ihq-editorial@salvationarmy.org

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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revive@salvationarmy.org

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 revive@salvationarmy.org

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: revive@salvationarmy.org

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

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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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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

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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

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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:

IHQ-CSLD@salvationarmy.org

‘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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Revive may also be ordered through many territorialheadquarters. In the UK, subscribers can purchaseRevive through the local corps at £1.50 per copy.

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Led by ThE GENERaL

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