Angelina K. - Health

Yesterday, I fell backwards over a backpack and hit my head on the asphalt. Today, I pinched a nerve or kinked a muscle in my arm. Tomorrow, I think I will bubble wrap myself. Haha. Please pray for me to be cautious and not hurt myself again. Thank you.

Connie - Surgery

"Asking for prayer. Feeling a bit anxious, tomorrow I am going in for surgery on my right knee. With everything going on I don’t get to have my rock of a husband with me so I got wear my big girl pants and go it alone."

Sung - O - Yoon - Dan PTG

Today we sent our beloved Dan Riker to God.  Listening to the Psalms we read before he left this world, he expressed gratitude to us with his eyes.  He rested very comfortably in the arms of God.  What he said to our Corps members through his wife Susan Riker, "Don't bring any flowers or gifts for me, donate to Henderson United Corps or local Salvation Army instead. He really loved God and our Corps until the last minute.  We miss you too much 💝⚘✝️

Paul S. - Praise Report

Thank you to all who joined me in my unspoken prayer request for my Colonel the other day. He underwent surgery last evening and it appears God has heard our prayers! Thank you 🙏🏽 thank you 🙏🏽 thank you 🙏🏽

He is a mighty leader and powerful man of God. The devil would want to take him out to be sure, but God has other plans.

Answered prayer-a-lujah!

Charles H. - Dara's Health Update

Update on Dara, June 25:

Dara had the surgery this morning to remove the stents and kidney stones. She was taken back to surgery at 7:46 am and was there close to two hours, and is now in the recovery room.

Her doctor just came out to brief me on the results. They cleared the stones on the right side first and took out the stent. The left side had a large amount of stones in the urinary tract and up in the kidney, so took longer. He said there is still a large amount of stone dust, so he decided to leave the stent to facilitate it clearing out naturally.

She will be scheduled in a couple more weeks for another procedure to scope the left side to check that everything is cleared out, and if yes, the stent will be removed.

Kimberly B. - Dad's Brain Surgery

"Please keep my dad in your prayers today as he is having brain surgery. We haven’t been able to see him but because we are the Dickinsons and we do everything together we found a way to be there for my dad last night. We love him, we are proud of him and we can’t wait till he is home making us homemade pizza again."

Operation Share Hope Last Week

Praise the Lord for all His provision for our Operation Share Hope in Portland Oregon. Many people were blessed through the food boxes distribution.  Tomorrow and Friday will be our last distribution for this specific operation.  The Salvation Army units in the Metro-Portland area will resume their duties at their Food Pantries program.  May God always lead the way! 

10 Ways to Pray for Your Church as It Reopens

By

 Kent Annan

 -

June 19, 2020

Throughout Scripture we are reminded that we serve a God who hears us. As you think through the reentry decision—should you go back to in-person church services?—and experience many emotions revolving around COVID-19, prayer can be a powerful tool. To pray for your church is one way to build unity when divisions arise. Prayer leads to peace.

Sometimes we approach prayer as a last resort, but it’s important to start with prayer. As you’re navigating relationships with people who hold various opinions on how and when churches should reopen, and you’re evaluating your own approach to in-person ministry, use prayer to guide you. “Be still and know I am God,” Psalm 46:10 says. A prayerful place will lead to deep thought and wisdom.

Remember: God is faithful and He gives wisdom to those who ask for it. Wisdom is one of the heart postures we need to take as believers when making decisions.

COVID-19 PRAYER PROMPTS

Sometimes it’s hard to find the words for prayer. It can be challenging to know where to start. Here are a few prayer prompts to adapt when seeking God’s guidance.

1. GOD, GRANT US HEALTH AND SAFETY.

Pray for your church: God, keep me, my family, my community, and my church family from all harm. Preserve our physical and mental health as we seek to serve you faithfully.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2).

2. GOD, GRANT US HUMILITY.

Pray for your church: As I seek your will, clothe me with the humility that comes from you. As I seek wise counsel, teach me what it looks like to submit to you.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

3. GOD, GRANT US WISDOM.

Pray for your church: Lord, you are a gracious guide. Show me the paths that you have prepared and teach me to walk in your ways.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

4. GOD, GRANT US COURAGE.

Pray for your church: God, if you lead me to make decisions that may be unpopular, grant me courage to do what you’ve called and equipped me to do.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

5. GOD, GRANT US PATIENCE.

Pray for your church: During these stressful times, I pray that all of us in the church family would practice patience with one another.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

6. GOD, GRANT US UNITY.

Pray for your church: Within our body, Lord, people are of different minds about how to faithfully proceed. Grant us unity so that we might walk together in mind and thought.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

7. GOD, GRANT US RESOURCES.

Pray for your church: As we all–individuals and families and organizations–adjust to an ever-changing social and financial climate, I appeal to you to be the good provider who blesses us with all we need to be faithful to you.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (1 Corinthians 9:8).

8. GOD, GRANT US REFRESHMENT.

Pray for your church: God, many of us feel weary, but you are the one who refreshes souls. Protect my church family and church leaders from burnout and renew our hearts.

“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

9. GOD, GRANT US LOVE AND SUPPORT.

Pray for your church: Lord, I pray for the individuals, families, and leaders of my church. Give us the time, opportunity, and grace to love and be loved.

“Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

10. GOD, MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE OF WHICH I’M NOT AWARE.

Pray for your church: Jesus, you know every hair on our heads. I ask that you would meet the needs of others of which I’m not even aware. Thank you for your gracious care.

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26).

PRAY FOR YOUR CHURCH

Prayers matter to God, and your church needs them now more than ever. As you and your church make decisions about reopening the church, continue to lift them up.

Final prayer: God, thank you for hearing when we call on you and for knowing what we need, even before we do. Thank you for your Spirit who “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Jamie Aten, Ph.D. is the Founder and Executive Director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute and Blanchard Chair of Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL). His most recent book is A Walking Disaster: What Surviving Katrina and Cancer Taught Me About Faith and Resilience (Templeton Press). 

This article originally appeared here.

Raelynne C. - Tony to Wake Up

"I am asking for prayer for Tony who has not woken up yet after surgery!"

Jazmine R. - Family Health

Today I come once again asking for prayer for my family. Especially my grandma Noemi Aguilar and my uncle Martin who are still in the hospital with COVID. Life takes many turns and things hit our lives unexpectedly. Please pray for God’s will in their lives and for peace and strength for all my family.

Raymond D. - Cascade Division prayers

Greetings All,

 

I just wanted to touch base with all of you to let you know that just because the nightly Prayer and Praise emails have ended, our prayers lifting you up before our Lord and Savior will never stop. We continue praying for your safety and health, energy and rest, wisdom and courage, love and humility. We also praise your commitment, efforts, and outcomes to advance the mission of both The Salvation Army and the Kingdom of God.

 

With that said, I’d still like to hear about your successes…. big and small. You are worth celebrating! Sharing them can bring encouragement and ideas to others in the division. Don’t hold back in letting us know! You might just inspire someone else with a new idea and the courage to make it happen. So, send me a story to share! I look forward to hearing from you.

 

When I get a story or two, I’ll share them with your so that we can celebrate together. I’m thinking of giving it “Some Time Together at the End of the Day,” a couple times a week… maybe Mondays and Fridays. If you’d like, let me know what you think.

 

Psalm 37:4-6 reminds us, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.”

 

A quick prayer for your evening,

 

Lord we love you. Thank you for everything you gave us today. You know what we need, even better than we know ourselves. May we trust in You. May we have faith in You. May we love You. Thank You for loving us first. Thank you for salvation.

 

Give us a good night sleep. Give us rest for the day ahead of us. Give us the strength to serve our neighbors to Your glory. Give us the wisdom to present You. Give us the courage and humility to make a difference in our communities. May we answer Your call on our lives. In Your name we pray.

 

Amen.

 

Sleep well!

Adina C. - Neighbor (Racism situation)

Can you take a minute and ask God to bring justice to a current situation in our neighborhood where a family of color was targeted with some disturbingly vulgar racist graffiti in full view of their front door?  Several people witnessed the crime, in progress (in broad daylight today) and identified the person, but the police said their hands were tied and couldn't do anything because the person who did it told them it had been there for weeks.  We've made contact with the necessary authorities ABOVE the police and our community is supporting the family, but my heart is BROKEN.  Seriously broken and pleading with God for JUSTICE in this situation.  Will you join me?

Raymond D. - Cascade Division prayers

Good Evening All,

 

A glad Saturday to each one of you! This being 7 pm, many of you are virtually attending the evening program of Commissioning Weekend – We Believe, so enjoy that and I suggest praying after it is over. If you are not, know that you are invited to attend virtually at www.youtube.com/tsawestvideo or Facebook.com/NewFrontierChronicles. The ENCORE portion is already over and We Believe is in progress now. Tomorrow’s events start at 1:30 pm with the prelude and Lobby Conversation. At 1:50 pm is Recognition of Officers Reaching Long Service. Then the big event of the weekend starts at 2 pm: Service of Commissioning, Ordination and Appointment for the newly commissioned lieutenants. It’s the big TSA event of the year and the first ever done virtually.

 

The cadets being commissioned and ordained tomorrow are who I would like us to pray for tonight. Yes, they are outside of our division, but they all are experiencing a major life event this weekend, one that will shape their lives and affect The Salvation Army’s future. Their names are:

 

• Paul Chisholm
• Ashley Cunningham
• Andrea Finch
• Samantha Hascall
• Ezequiel & Katherine Hernandez
• Amy Lewis
• Henry Oliveira
• Betty & Ratu Vesikula

 

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.”

 

Let’s pray,

 

Lord, You are our God and King in whom we place our trust and hope. Thank You for this day that You have given us and we ask for a good night sleep for what You have prepared for us tomorrow. Guide our steps and keep our ears, hearts, and souls focused on what You have called us to do in life. Thank You for the opportunities we have to serve You and our neighbors.

 

Tonight we lift up to You our cadets of the Messengers of the Kingdom session. You have been preparing them for years for this weekend and we ask now that they center their thoughts on You, that they reaffirm the call You have placed on each of their lives, and that they begin their officership intent on loving You, loving their neighbors, and preaching the Gospel. May they have courage and humility, be strong and meek, committed to You, and grow into true servant leaders. Guide their paths, guard their hearts, and gift their ministries. We ask that you bless Paul, Ashley, Andrea, Samantha, Ezequiel, Katherine, Amy, Henry, Betty, and Ratu as they journey forward for Your kingdom.

 

Lord, we ask Your blessing on every person reading this email. Give them safety and health during this time of virus. Let each one of us feel Your loving presence and Your guiding hand. Thank you for today and the hope You bring for tomorrow.

 

Amen.

Silvia S. - Cascade Division prayers

Good Evening friends,

 

As our Commissioning weekend ends tonight, we want to praise the Lord for His goodness. We thank the Lord for the opportunity we had to be part of this weekend of celebrating TSA virtually. I hope you had a chance of watch the Commissioning of Ordination and Appointment for the newly Commissioned lieutenants this afternoon. What a great service. To God be the Glory. May the Lord bless the ministry of the newly Lieutenants in The Salvation Army.

 

We are also very thankful for each one of you, for your dedication and service to the Lord. It’s amazing to see that in the midst of this world pandemic, The Salvation Army continues to provide the needs of our communities and also continues to share Gods love with so many people. We are very thankful for Jesus Christ that gives us strength every day.

 

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in time of trouble”.

 

Let’s pray:

 

Dear heavenly father, we rejoice in you tonight. We love you and we praise you. Thank you for loving us and caring for us. Tonight, we would like to lift up the Divisional Leaders of the Cascade Division, Major Nancy Dilhe and Captain Raymond Dihle. May the Lord give them peace and wisdom and the assurance that He will always be with them. May they be filled with your love. We are blessed by their leadership and we are thankful for their lives. We also continue to pray for all our Corps Officers, programs and leaders. We pray for blessings and provision for each one of them. May we all continue to serve and seek you every day. Thanks again for everything you have done for us. In Jesus name we pray,

 

Amen!

Wayne M. - Health / upcoming surgery

Hey, friends! Some of you might have heard, but I was hospitalized on Sunday  because my family was concerned I had had a seizure. I was diagnosed with with benign tumors in my head. I spent two days in the hospital being treated with antibiotics and steroids. They released me today and I will be having surgery sometime in the next two weeks to have them removed. My family is currently taking care of me! I have REALLY appreciated every text and email! Sorry if my response didn’t feel complete. I’ve been in a fog for the past few days. But God is still on the throne and he had my back. Thank you for your prayers!

Raymond D. - Cascade Division prayers

Good Evening Everyone,

 

Here’s hoping your Wednesday went well and that you get a good rest tonight. As your evening begins to close (sometime soon I hope), I’m honored to share the below story from Alisha Devogele, Executive Director of The White Shield Center. My introduction to it would not do it justice, so please read the below and hear the honesty, truth, and love it presents:

 

Alisha writes:

 

This last week at White Shield has been one of high emotionality and deep processing. Our beloved cook Mackenzie has graduated with her masters in counseling and is moving on to be a therapist with Yamhill County. We were able to celebrate her tenure and service at White Shield with a final meal on Saturday night. It was warm, joyful, and a bittersweet goodbye. Her service and transition from our community has been impactful. MacKenzie is moving on to become a therapist—a vocation she fits into brilliantly. MacKenzie has nourished hundreds of kids over the past five years. Many who hadn’t had a hot meal, made with love for too long to remember. It’s a pure form of nurturing, that has brought great change to our organization and we can’t express how grateful we are.

 

Mackenzie responded:

 

Being here that past 5 years has been such a gift and a space for healing and growth for me. I’m continually encouraged and inspired by all of your hard work and perseverance to show up and work hard for our clients. I know the job is not always easy. To be able to serve you a meal filled with all the heart I could muster to balance possibly having been cussed out on the floor all day or trying to process the sudden departure of a client has been an honor. My chapter as White Shield has had such an impact on my life and I will carry it as a torch in my continued work to help others find healing and hope through creative and caring ways.

 

Psalm 128:2 tells us, “You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you.”

 

Let’s pray,

 

Lord, we thank You for another day that You have given us to serve You. May the people we have come in contact with step closer to You as a result of it. May they see the love we have for them because of the passion You have given us. May that light a flame in their souls that brings them into a personal relationship with Jesus.

 

Today we lift up to you Alisha Devogele and the good people of The White Shield Center. Thank you for their passion, strength, commitment, and love for the people they work with and serve. We particularly pray for Mackenzie as she moves on in her journey to new work, and new challenges, and new relationships as she pursues service as a therapist. Thank you for her five years at White Shield, for the many hungry mouths she fed, the service to other she gave, the relationships she built, and the encouragement she gave. Bless her continued journey into her new position. May she use both the education she has completed and the experience she has gained at White Shield to serve others to Your glory.

 

Finally, Lord, please be near all of our officers, employees, volunteers, and friends who make up The Cascade Division. Keep them strong and wise, courageous and humble, rested and committed to You. Thank you for each and every one of them and provide them with a good night sleep. In Your name we pray.

 

Amen

Marilyn Promoted to Glory

Marilyn Anne Marilyn Marilyn Anne (Scott) Sawyer at the age of 71, went to Heaven on June 9th, 2020 in Oceanside, California. She was born in Newburgh, New York to the late Harold and Rea Scott on May 21st, 1949.

Marilyn spent her life in New York, North Carolina and Florida, later relocating to Maui which she considered home. This is where she raised her two daughters in the city of Kahului. Marilyn was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She was a gifted seamstress, creative chef, crossword puzzle wizard, classic movie aficionado, avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and NFL football, Chuck Norris lover, classic rock guru and practical joker who made the most of her experiences. Her humor, storytelling and laugh were contagious. Marilyn was a Senior Soldier member and longtime volunteer of The Salvation Army Kahului Corps on Maui until her relocation to California to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her two daughters Shannon Scott (Julius) Murphy, Myriah Sawyer (Anthony) Begonia; sister Linda Smith and brothers Harold Scott and Edwin Scott; five grandchildren, Noah and Jonathan Murphy, Logan, Addyson and Liam Begonia.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date on Maui, Hawaii. She wanted to be remembered as a Maui Girl where she will be laid to rest among friends and Ohana.

Lyrical excerpt from the song “Jewels” by William O. Cushing (Based from Scripture; Malachi 3:17; Zechariah9:16)

He will gather, He will gather the gems of His Kingdom; All the pure ones, all the bright ones, His loved and His own; Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning, They shall shine in their beauty, bright gems for ...

Marilyn was a giving person, a straight shooter with a sharp sense of humor. She blessed me so much when I needed it the most that I'll always thank God for her. We didn't know each other at the time but God brought us together through that blessing. I know God will continue to bless you, her family,

FROM THE FAMILY

Fabio S. - Cascade Division prayers

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,[a] saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

1 Samuel 7:12

What a privilege we have to declare that God has helped us!

He has provided all things that we need and protected us. But also His mercy is renewed every morning and this give to us HOPE.

I was reading Samuel’s story and how afraid he was when Moises died and God called him to lead Gods people.

Many challenges, frustrations, discouragements and loneliness. However he trusted on the promises of the Lord.

Don’t be discouraged when the trials come, remember that God promised to be with us.

Shall we pray,

Dear Lord, we exalt you and we declare that we love you. You are righteous, faithful and Holy.

We trust in you and we know that one day your people will gather together for eternity.

We are living an uncertain times but Jesus, we stand for you and only for you.

Thank you for the opportunities that we have to offer hope and to make disciples.

Father, help us and teach us to do your will. We want to see all our Corps growing and shinning your glory.

Keep us on fire, like Samuel that never gave up, but led your people to follow you.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Shannon & Myriah and Family - Mom PTG

"It is with a sad heart that I let everyone know that after 9 days in the hospital my mom went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening June 9th. If you can still keep our family in prayer as we go through the grieving process.  At this time we are not having services, services will be held at a later time when we are able to travel to take her home to Maui.    

In the next few days we will be posting the link to her obituary where if you want you can leave comments and memories of her."

Silvia S. - Cascade Division prayers

Good Evening friends,

 

I hope you all had a wonderful day and were able to find some time to seek God. Tonight I will be sharing a FB post from Major DeWayne Halstad from Pendleton Corps and also a praise report from our “Operation Share Hope”:

 

Here is what Major Halstad says:

 

“I was handing out a lunch to a homeless lady standing on the corner next to Safeway today and I hear someone yell "Hey! Salvation Army! Thank you for taking care of people!" I gave him the thumbs up :) That was very nice for someone to want to make sure we are appreciated for the little things we do. :)”

 

And below you will see another praise from Lisa Cole:

 

God provided opportunity to share hope with a lovely young woman who was struggling to the point of despair.

 

Listen to her words,

 

“I’ve been struggling with the Covid-19. I lost my job. I don’t know where to go from here. I was thinking about suicide many times and I watch the news and they said The Salvation Army give free food and $20 bucks. I go pick it up and the lovely Dalida help pray for me every time that I’m there. I got my job back. Makes my life change, all my family and my friends, also my neighbor. We really appreciate all your gifts and your help. You guys have a big heart and save my life. Super halo. We love you. God bless stay safe. Thanks so lot!!!”

 

Those testimonies are great reminders that we do much more than a food distribution. These are life altering moments of grace. Every one of you are a part of this work of grace in the lives of the people we serve. As a team we work togheter to be His Hands, His feet and His heart to a world that does not know where to turn. We get to shine His light in the darkness to bring hope to those in despair.(Lisa Cole)

 

Let’s pray:

 

Dear Heavenly Father, we want to praise you and worship you. We are thankful for the opportunities that we have to serve our communities in a different ways. We a grateful for your people. Thank you, Dalida, for being a faithful prayer partner to seek His face with our community. Thank you Majors Halstad, for your ministry in Pendleton. We pray for blessings upon their lives. May they fell your love and care.

 

We also want to lift up all our officers, employees and volunteers. Father we couldn’t do it without each one of them. We are grateful for them and we truly appreciated their help. We pray for blessings upon their lives. Father be with them, provide their needs. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to be vessels for Your honor. In Jesus name we pray,

 

Amen!

Praise Report

God provided opportunity to share hope with a lovely young woman who was struggling to the point of despair.

 

Listen to her words,

 

“I’ve been struggling with the Covid-19. I lost my job. I don’t know where to go from here. I was thinking about suicide many times and I watch the news and they said The Salvation Army give free food and $20 bucks. I go pick it up and the lovely Dalida help pray for me every time that I’m there. I got my job back. Makes my life change, all my family and my friends, also my neighbor. We really appreciate all your gifts and your help. You guys have a big heart and save my life. Super halo. We love you. God bless stay safe. Thanks so lot!!!”

 

Wow! Operation Share Hope does so much more than food distribution. These are life altering moments of grace. Every one of you are a part of this work of grace in this woman’s life. As a team we work together to be His Hands, His feet and His heart to a world that does not know where to turn. We get to shine his light in the darkness to bring hope to those in despair.

 

Thank you, Dalida, for being a faithful prayer partner to seek His face with our community.

 

Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to be vessels for Your honor.

 

Blessings!

 

Lisa 

Chris G. - Health / kidney surgery

So I am currently in admitting waiting to go back to my room here at the hospital with Joanne we still haven’t talked to the doctors and surgeons and transplant team and will be waiting to do that so I will update you once that happens. Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your support. Please keep them coming!

Matt G. - Health

I would appreciate your prayers! I am having some severe hip pain and yet I have a lot of packing and moving yet to do.

Fabio S. - Cascade Divisional prayers

Friends,

the praise comes from Boise Corps and Majors Havelson

 

“At the beginning of COVID-19 there was a lot of uncertainty, fear and mixed emotions from our staff, volunteers and us. As we jumped in and quickly made changes to alleviate those worries and continue to help people it’s been amazing what God has done. Boise Corps has some great staff that rallied, came up with ideas and plans and we worked together in those first weeks to rearrange everything. As we gave out food boxes drive thru style we saw the gratitude of so many families. It was a bit of hope in the fear and uncertainty. Our Advisory board and volunteers helped immensely in those first few weeks. It was amazing the number of people we had willing to come out and help pack boxes, deliver boxes and work to provide the lines of cars the food they needed. We also have had an amazing outpouring of financial resources and donated goods from our community. Near the beginning we had a woman donate $50,000. We worked with Albertson’s foundation for a substantial grant which completely funded an emergency child care for 8 weeks, provided some extra support for our food pantry (food and a worker) and funds to keep the Nampa shelter open several weeks longer. Our donations have been up during this time as well. The kids and families who attended the child care were so grateful, and the kids were so sad to leave to return to their original programs when they opened back up. We’ve had board members work with their church to get us 22 pallets of food as well as $6000 worth of food from Winco. We had a local radio station and credit union work together to put on a food drive for us as well. We’ve also been so blessed to go and visit all our corps people to drop off gifts for special occasions a couple of times. Though going to online services and resources was a challenge, we have seen so many people blessed and participate in those things that we’ve been able to share through Facebook. Even more than we’d have in person normally. Women’s ministry meetings and Bible studies on zoom have been a great new thing. We can’t thank God enough for what he has been doing here in Boise and the wonderful staff, Advisory board, corps members and volunteers we have here as well as the giving community that we are a part of. Praise God he is more powerful than any virus and His glory is made known even through difficult circumstances.”

Let’s pray,

Father God we praise you! You are so good for us. We thank you for your goodness, kindness and faithfulness.

Lord through this pandemic, we have faced many challenges but also lots of opportunities and your Holy Spirit has taught us how to serve people in spiritual, emotional and physical need.

We lift up Majors Michael and Nancy Halverdon and the entire community in Boise.

God pour out your blessings and give them the assurance that you are working on them and through them to accomplish your will.

Father we ask for protection, provision and hope during this tough time. 

You are everything I hat we need and help us to spread this truth for our community.

In Jesus name.

Amen!

Silvia S. - Cascade Divisional prayers

Dear friends,

 

I am so thankful for the opportunities God has given to us. It’s amazing to see how God been using us to share His love with people that we are serving and also with our volunteers.

 

Ephesians 2:13says:

 

“You who once were far off have ben brought near by the blood of Christ.”

 

Today I will be sharing this wonderful praise report from Captain Sylvia Scruggs from Nampa Corps, Idaho

 

Here is what Captain Sylvia says:

 

Covid-19 has been a challenging season for us all. We all have been burning on both ends, but we serve a Mighty God. He is Mighty to save! A couple of months ago, a young 17 year old male came in to work his community service hours off. Little did Ramses know what he was really getting into. Ramses has been helping in our food pantry by getting boxes ready for our clients and hand delivering them to their cars. He is the last point of contact, meaning he is the last person that our clients see before getting in their cars and driving off. The last person of contact usually sees the tears in their eyes when a client is so grateful at the blessing of food they just received. Ramses gets to hear the “Thank you’s” from the clients as they smile from the heart. 

 

During Covid-19, we were working on a very limited and skeleton crew. Only people we had been working with before Covis-19 hit were allowed to be part of our crew. We served lunch to the staff and volunteers as to keep their contact (and ours) limited. We were blessed to have everyone break bread together and pray and get to know one another. We also offered Friday morning Bible Study and Ramses was attending. When we found out he did not have a Bible, Captain Ricky quickly returned to the study with a brand new Bible for Ramses. Ramses was quick to volunteer to read scripture and was very confident as he read it. He has attended two Sunday services in a row and has brought his girlfriend, Olivia each time. Ramses read scripture yesterday during our sharing time of scripture and questions and is soaking up the Word of God like a Champion.  

 

Today, he and Captain Ricky went out to deliver food boxes to the needy in our community. What an amazing way to serve, especially people in our community that are not expecting this kind of blessing. Ramses witnessed warm smiles all day. This is not the norm for his personal life. Ramses shared that his father just got out of prison and that his uncle was in a gang related altercation in Portland and lost his eye in the fight. Ramses is starting to see a different life outside of what he knows. I pray that what he sees in and around The Salvation Army Food Pantry, Family Shelter and Sunday Service are a reflection of what it is like to serve the Lord and that what we do is pleasing to God. 

 

Let’s pray:

Dear heavenly Father, we love you and we are grateful for the opportunities that we have to serve you. Thank you for all our Corps and Social Services programs that are working hard to provide the needs of your people. Tonight we want to pray for Captains Ricky and Sylvia Scruggs and also their Corps, community , staff and volunteers. Lord how wonderful it is to see the transformation of people’s hearts . Father we pray for this young men in Nampa Corps. Please protect and guide Ramses as he walks through this life. May the Holy Spirit give him wisdom and discernment. May he choose to become a follower of Christ .

Thanks again for the assurance that we have that you will never leave us. In Jesus name we pray,

 

Amen,

 

Raymond D. - Cascade Divisional prayers

Good Evening to all of you,

 

Sunday is coming to a close and it is time to quite our hearts, minds, and bodies to rest ourselves from a day/weekend/week/month of the work it takes to answer the call God has put on our lives. I hope you will do just that tonight.

 

Tonight we have several praise reports from a recent Operation Share Hope, the food box distribution done in Portland Metro. Not only are thousands being fed, but people are drawing near to our Lord and Savior:

 

• This morning we had a few minutes to encourage one of our volunteers in the absolute faithfulness of God! We spent time talking about His fathomless love for us --- He loved/loves us even when we were in the depths of our sin and total rebellion. He came to give His life to bring us into relationship with Him. She shared how much she needed to hear that today. She has been struggling with a certain sin and she needed to hear that God’s love for her has not changed. God is good!

 

• Lt. Q was blessed to share HOPE with an older man struggling with suicidal thoughts today. It was Divine Intervention! He was across the street, not even intending to come to OSH, but Lt. Quanna started a conversation with him, sharing a message of HOPE he desperately needed to hear. He is SOVERIGN! He IS good! He is faithful!

 

• Another brand new member of the family was added today! Dalida led a woman to Christ this morning. The woman grew up in a catholic home, but said she felt like there had to be more. Dalida was able to share the person and work of Christ with her and she surrendered her life to Him. What is better than that? Absolutely nothing!!!

 

• Two young woman surrendered their hearts to Christ today! That’s THREE people who came to Christ today!!!! Dalida, what a gift for you to have the opportunity to be a part of these new beginnings.

 

It is good to hear that both physical and spiritual hunger are being taken care of!

 

Philemon 1:6 tells us, “I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ.”

 

Let’s pray,

 

Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Thank You for showing us the way, not only to You, but to others who we meet. Thank You for opportunity, for knowledge, for wisdom, and for the words You give us to tell others about Salvation. We ask that You continue lighting the pathway of answering Your call on our lives.

 

Lord, thank You for the people who make Operation Share Hope happen. It all comes together because You light the way and give people the resources, time, strength, and drive to make it happen. Thank You for Dalida, Lt. Quanna, and all those who take the opportunity to present You at not only this program, but all the programs, meetings, and event that happen throughout the division. We ask that You give us this day our daily bread, so that we can stand for You in our efforts to feed the hungry in all ways. Thank You for those who reach out to You, and for those who help them find You.

 

Lord, I ask that You be with each one of our officers, directors, employees, and volunteers tonight. Give them a restful night sleep – secure in Your love and promise of Salvation. Thank You for every one of them. In Your name we pray.

 

Amen.

 

Let’s hear some of your praise reports! Send them our way so that we can celebrate with you!

 

 

God Bless,

Fabio S. - Cascade Divisional prayers

God has done great things!

Tonight the story comes from Grants Pass Corps.

Lts McBride share it.

“We received a letter and a $270.00 check donation from a donor in the mail today.

In her letter, she asked if a food box could be delivered to her residence. I called Diana and spoke with her over the phone.

Diana, along with her husband, are among the high risk population within our community and love The Salvation Army and what we do for our community.

Due to her and her husband’s age and health, they don’t come out as much. However, that doesn’t stop them from helping out their community!

 

She said they fervently prayed and asked God where should they should donate to and support in the community of Grants Pass.

Diana said God laid it on their hearts to donate and support the work of The Salvation Army in Grants Pass.

She said, “Between the Food Pantry and the Thrift Store, you guys do some much good work for our community and all that you do to support it; we believe you are the ones that we should contribute and donate to.”

 

We are grateful for folks like Diana and her husband and their obedience to the Lord. 

They sought out the Lord and honored Him with their obedience and how they stewarded their finances to support their community.

Because of their generosity, we are able to do the most good with the resources that we’ve been entrusted with. 

 

I am reminded of the words penned by Evangeline Booth, “There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need.”

Let’s pray.

Dear Lord we praise your holy name. We are so wonderful and your grace is sufficient for us.

We thank you for your provision and care. We lift up Grants Pass Corps and Lts. McBride Father. Keep them close to you and bless their ministry and their family.

Also God ,we ask for Dianna and her husband. Protect them and provide everything that their need.

God glorify your holy name on us and through us.

In Jesus name. Amen.