Are you a soldier in The Salvation Army?
If so, think back to your enrollment classes. Did this small, red book ever make its way into your hands? Even though the front cover holds a general order to all Commanding Officers that every soldier be “acquainted with these regulations and that all intending soldiers are supplied with a copy before or at the time they are given Articles of War for signature”, the answer for many of us may be “NO”.
Commonly referred to as our O+R (Orders and Regulations for Soldiers of the Salvation Army), and originally prepared by the Founder, it contains the Army’s doctrine on many things from New Birth to Holiness. If you don’t already have a copy, ask your Corps Officer or Youth Leader. Not only will they gladly oblige, they’ll probably be a little surprised.
Here are a few excerpts from chapter 4, “Maintaining Contact With The Life Giver” (pg. 13-14, 1994)
1. The Salvation solider must ever bear in mind that prayer is the chief means of keeping in that contact with God in which His life fills the human soul and the Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ living and real. So wonderful are the possibilities of the life of prayer that those who have penetrated farthest into its secrets are most vividly conscious of the fact that there is much more to learn and far deeper depths to explore.
3. Routine is the great enemy of the life of prayer. It must be combated first of all by striving to realize the presence of God. A few moments in silence, the quite repetition of a suitable verse or chorus, whispering what is known to be true (e.g. ‘God is near me. He wants to speak to me. He will help me listen to Him.’), an act of praise and adoration, these and other means will help to this end.
4. It is well, also, to have beforehand a mental or written plan for this season of prayer in which we are about to engage. Points to be remembered should include:
– Praise to God for what He is in Himself and to us (e.g. high, holy, beyond understanding; loving Father, mighty Saviour, patient Guide).
– Thanksgiving for gifts and mercies to be mentioned by name, both spiritual and temporal.
– Intercession for various people; requests for guidance, help, spiritual victory, revival and the salvation of souls (this could be both a general topic and intensely individual).
– Accepting God’s promise and command for this day.
– New dedication
– The Lord’s prayer