The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7532
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
WHEN a parent asks their young child ‘what’s the magic word?’ they are not expecting the response ‘abracadabra’. Instead, it is a reminder to say ‘please’ when asking for something. Teaching a child to say both please and thank you is important to many parents. Even into adulthood, we still want people to ask ‘nicely’ when making a request and to acknowledge us when we do something for them. As we report in this week’s War Cry, tomorrow (Sunday 4 July) is Thank You Day. It has been designed to allow us to acknowledge all those who have helped us, particularly over the past 15 months of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is backed by celebrities including Bear Grylls, Michael Sheen and Levi Roots, along with churches and other faith groups. Giving thanks is important for Christians. Their thank yous are given not only to people who help them, but also to God for the times when he answers the prayers made to him. Next year, construction of the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer in Coleshill, Birmingham will be completed. Each one of the million bricks in the wall will represent an answered prayer. In this week’s issue we speak to Richard Gamble, the man who was inspired to create the monument. ‘This is a colossal piece of public art which aims to communicate that Jesus is alive, and that when we pray, he listens and he answers,’ Richard tells us. It is good to know that prayers are not just magic words spoken to make the people who are praying feel better. Rather they are a direct connection with Jesus, who can step in to any situation we face and, thankfully, make a ad the War C difference for good in our lives and in the e re ry lives of others. u’v
CONTENTS
Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper
INFO Your local Salvation Army centre
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Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
From the editor’s desk
When yo
What is The Salvation Army?
FEATURES
3 Driving force
6
Fast and Furious 9 opens at cinemas
5
An attitude of gratitude
A day to say thank you
6 Do you hear the people sing?
Les Mis star on returning to the stage
8 Another brick in the wall
8
Answered prayers provide building
blocks for artwork
REGULARS
4
War Cry World
12 Team Talk 13 Now, There’s a Thought!
15
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: GILES KEYTE/UNIVERSAL PICTURES