SUNDAY 22ND JANUARY 2012

Two months ago God laid on our hearts a need for us to place sometime aside to focus prayer on families, children and youth. We are a crucial time in that God has sent us all these generations, but we now need to be asking now, what next? The day enabled us to recognise that in it all, we are ALL called to serve the generations, and to ensure that everyone hears about the Message of Jesus Christ. Captain Susan led our morning meeting, supported by our childrens and youth ministry leadership. Songs today included:- Eternal God unchanging; Open the eyes of my heart Lord; He is the Lord and He reigns on high; Jesus taught us how to be a family; We are the hand of Christ. Two helpful video clips were shown, and a presentation of comments from families attending chatt-a-box were also shown. Our youth ministries officer had prepared a brilliant video with interviews from our children and youth, it was very helpful indeed. Several people used the Mercy Seat to pray at the conclusion of our meeting.

Whilst some made their way home or elsewhere after our meeting, a really good number of people committed to be part of this important opportunity. This was TRADITIONAL Salvation Army in the truest form - people on their knees before God. Seventeen Prayer Zones were set up around our centre, which enabled people to pray in creative and different ways. Some stayed in chairs and focussed prayer on the children as their appeared on the screen. Many shared how for them it was an emotional time, and God really blessed us. It was beautiful seeing all generations come together and engaging in this way.

Our final gathering, starting at 2pm, started with all the children standing at the front, and members of the congregation praying blessings over the children. From here we engaged in some songs of celebration, thanking GOD for what HE has done. These included:- Far and near hear the call; Praise is Rising; I am a friend of God. Karen Everest (with Barry) then spoke to us and challenged us to consider HOPE leaving the room, by a live presence of the child catcher. Yet the children returned to ask us to continue to share HOPE with this world. It was very powerful. We then concluded with the song Teach me to dance, and prayer for the divisional headquarters team who had joined with us. We thank GOD for another amazing day.