Prayer Sweeps Through ALM
By Major Joshua Hinson /
As Salvationists, we are people of prayer. Each day, our tasks are daunting, too tall for us to tackle on our own. So, we take the whole of our endeavor to God in prayer. Prayer is powerful and effective, transforming the world, bending the heart toward the will of God. We must commit to unceasing prayer, which the Southern Territory has done with the 24/7 Prayer initiative leading up to the Centennial Celebration in 2027. As we approach 100 years as a territory, we do so calling on the name of the Lord, knowing He will meet our every need, seeking to grow in our relationship with God. He is faithful. He has done it, and He will do it.
The Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi (ALM) Division was honored to be the first division of the 24/7 Prayer movement in the Southern Territory. Each corps was assigned a day, and the torch was slowly passed throughout the division. Corps committed to fervent prayer, some choosing to have sign-up sheets with time slots, while others shared prayer requests to be lifted up on their day. Facebook posts reminded the division who was carrying the flame for that day.
As the ALM Division concluded its time of carrying the banner for 24/7 prayer, there were reports of encouragement and going deeper with the Lord. There are times when we need to be reminded what is important, when we need to be called back to our first love. Prayer kindles that fire of passion for God and the things of His heart. This prayer focus served as a reminder to spend time with the Holy One, bringing our petitions to His feet. We may never know the outcome of all the prayers prayed, but we can be assured that we drew closer to God as a result.
Fittingly, the ALM Division’s final day of this initiative was July 4, reminding us of the freedom prayer provides. We are not meant to carry burdens alone, but to seek the easy yoke Jesus promises. He is our provider, sustainer, and dear friend. As the Texas Division takes up this mantle, we challenge them and the subsequent divisions to continue to cry out to God on our behalf. ALM commits to continue in prayer, longing to see the words of the song, “Send the Fire,” fulfilled:
Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
Send the fire!
Thy blood-bought gift today we claim,
Send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another Pentecost,
Send the fire!