What you didn’t know about Salvation Army prayer
“I’ll be praying for you” is something many people say after a heavy conversation, but accidentally forget to do.
When The Salvation Army says we’re praying for you, we don’t forget. All you have to do is send us a prayer request.
The Salvation Army Northern Division receives thousands of prayer requests in the mail from people all over the Twin Cities, North Dakota and Greater Minnesota. Each request is given to a Salvation Army officer (pastor) or appropriate staff member. They pray for every single one.
“The busiest month is always December,” said Lt. Col. Robert Thomson, Northern Division commander. “During last year’s Christmas season, we received 764 prayer requests.”
The rest of the year is unpredictable. During the first week of July, for example, we received 71 requests. The second week, we got 10.
Most requests are short. They don’t need to be very long, as God already knows every painful backstory. One can only imagine what the authors of these real-life prayer requests have gone through:
- My son to stop drinking
- A cure for breast cancer for my daughter
- My brother-in-law as he tries to rebuild his life after prison
“Prayer requests also come in by phone, email and in person,” Thomson said. “We treat each one like gold.”
Two years ago, we received an interesting prayer request from a woman in Eagan. She recently agreed to tell the story of what was happening in her life back then and how she’s doing now.
Testimonial: Prayer for her horses
Nancy Souer (pictured) sent her first prayer request to The Salvation Army during summer 2011. She and her sister, Margaret Grigor, had just started a new horse ministry that was stumbling out of the gate. Margaret had injured her neck and shoulder, leaving the sisters unable to bring their two miniature horses – named Tweak and M&M – to visit the elderly at nursing homes in the southern Twin Cities metro area.
“We just didn’t know a way for me to handle both horses at once,” said Nancy, who called on members of her church and Bible study group for prayer support.
She also wrote down this prayer and sent it to The Salvation Army: “I would like prayer that God would protect us and continue to provide the things we need to keep doing these nursing home visits.”
Nancy and Margaret eventually found the help they needed; members of their saddle club and Nancy’s Bible study group stepped in to take Margaret’s spot while she healed.
Nancy kept sending prayer requests in 2012, asking for guidance regarding Margaret’s health and the high costs of fuel and hay.
Today the horse ministry is galloping in full stride, with Nancy and Margaret making five to six nursing home visits per year.
“I am very thankful for the prayers of The Salvation Army team, as well as that of my church and Bible study group,” Nancy said. “I know when the horses go into any care center, they are bathed in prayer, and for that I am most grateful.”
Need prayer?
Many Salvation Army officers and staff call themselves prayer warriors. Here are two easy ways to have them do battle for you:
- Mail a prayer. The simplest way to do this is by opening the next piece of mail you receive from The Salvation Army. Most times, it will include a section for prayer requests and a return envelope. Simply write down your request and drop it in the mail. (Not on our mailing list? Sign up now.)
- Visit us. A Salvation Army officer or appropriate staff member would be happy to pray with you. To find your nearest Salvation Army, type your ZIP code below.