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The invitation to join him in that is real and clear. When we pray, hoping that prayer will add fuel to that mission means that we are constantly inviting Jesus to join us! But he is with us to very end of the age. He is already working, loving and healing in the broken communities of this world. If we keep prayer in allotted places, such as in a prayer meeting, or in a quiet time, then we are not making full use of the fact that Jesus is always with us.
Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with prayer meetings and quiet times – we do need these spaces for concentrated prayer – but something further is needed to truly make mission exciting and productive in Kingdom terms. I would call this a lifestyle of prayer.
This requires us to make a change in our thinking around when we pray. This requires us to bring prayer out of the confines of allotted times and into every aspect of our lives. This also requires us to find out what God is already doing in the world. Prayer does change things.
Prayer breaks chains – you only have to read Acts 12:2–19 and see how the church that Peter belonged to was earnestly praying for him because he was imprisoned, and how those intercessions caused Peter’s chains to fall off, with his guards were totally unaware that he was able to stand up and walk free. This is our mission! This is a fantastic picture of what my professor explained: that prayer is mission. Jesus was already with Peter, the church joined in his work to free him and Peter became free.
Jesus invites us to join him relentlessly in his mission to free people from the bondage of sin, from the chains of oppression, from the prison of unbelief. Prayer is mission. Whatever mission we are involved in, Jesus is already there.
CAPTAIN GARY LACEY
Territorial Prayer Network Te Support Officer THQ
ENCOUNTER PRAYER GATHERING
2023
IN January 2023 the Territorial Prayer Network is hosting its annual Prayer Gathering at The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick. During the weekend I will be delivering a talk on this very subject, exploring the fluidity of movement between prayer and action.
This year the gathering’s theme is All Together in One Place, as delegates look closely at encountering the Spirit and being empowered for action.
Guests for the weekend will include Colonels Paul and Jenine Main, Major Helen Schofield, Jo Clark, Lyndall Bywater, Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts and the Prayer Network team. The main sessions will include worship, teaching and prayer. There will be opportunities to reflect and pray. There will also be a prayer team on hand to pray with you if required. There will be seminars on how prayer relates to topics such as youth and children’s ministries, LGTBQ+ issues, racial inclusion and spiritual wellbeing.
This is a special conference. In the times we live in, as we look to touch our world with the power of the risen Christ, prayer is the essence of our mission. Without prayer, without finding out what Jesus is already doing, our mission could be in danger of falling flat. Let’s not let that happen.
You are encouraged to book a place on this significant gathering as we listen for the voice of the Saviour.
Encounter Prayer Gathering 2023 takes place from 20 to 23 January. For more information and to book your place, send an email to events@salvationarmy.org.uk.
Born again!
Major Linda Govier examines the inconvenient truth of the new birth
JOHN 3:1–15
IF it were possible, would you change the time or place of your birth? One thing all of us have in common is that we had no control over either.
You may have heard it said that it’s not where you start in life that matters but where you end up. Although there may be the odd notable exception, the circumstances of our births do shape our lives. Access to clean water, nourishing food, healthcare and education is denied to many people because of the place of their birth. Yet, there are those of whom it is said: ‘They were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.’
For some people, nationality – usually determined by one’s place of birth – is a source of pride and an integral part of their identity. This was true for Nicodemus. As a Jew, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, he would have been considered one of God’s chosen people with a place in God’s Kingdom seemingly guaranteed. He had given his life to the study, interpretation and implementation of God’s Law, which was viewed as the way to spiritual renewal.
QUESTION
What can we learn from Nicodemus’s approach to Jesus?
In our study passage, Nicodemus states that Jesus is a teacher who has come from God, but does he recognise that the Kingdom of God is near? Nicodemus believes he is part of the Kingdom. However, no one can see the Kingdom, never mind enter it, if they are not born again. Jesus prefaces his reply to Nicodemus with a phrase that emphasises the importance of his words: ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again’ (v3).
QUESTION
Is there a difference between knowledge and belief?
Nicodemus is surprised by what Jesus is saying. Although he is a teacher of God’s Law, he does not understand God’s work and is limited by human understanding. He wonders if Jesus really means that he, and those like him, will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven – they thought their citizenship of the Kingdom was a birthright.
QUESTIONS
How can we see that a person has been born again? How is this different to selfreinvention?
What Jesus says is contrary to everything that made Nicodemus who he was. The scholar realises that Jesus
Through the week with Salvationist
– a devotional thought for each day
by Major Lynda Levis
SUNDAY
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
MONDAY
I am a new creation,/ No more in condemnation,/ Here in the grace of God I stand./ My heart is overflowing,/ My love just keeps on growing,/ Here in the grace of God I stand. (SASB 367)
TUESDAY
Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6)
