24-7 Prayer

In March 2005, The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory commenced a non-stop year of prayer. That year turned into two years before culminating in NEW ZEAL, a territorial conference which featured guest speaker Pete Greig from the United Kingdom, founder of the 24-7 global prayer movement. Seeds planted during that season of prayer bear fruit to this day, as the Holy Spirit continues to draw people into prayer.

In 2009, The Salvation Army’s Flag Publications produced White Cloud Soaring, written by Major Judith Bennett, which records the story of 24-7 Prayer and The Salvation Army in this part of the world. Judith’s book is a Southern Hemisphere companion to Red Moon Rising co-authored by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts, which traces the journey of 24-7 Prayer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom (UK) pioneered the very first 24-7-365 (one year of non-stop prayer) in 2001–2002 and influenced the introduction of the 24-7 Prayer concept to the global Salvation Army. Judith played a key role in spearheading 24-7 Prayer in this territory following her secondment to the UK, along with her husband David, to Winton Bournemouth Corps in England. It was during that period that Judith encountered a 24-7 Prayer Room for the first time.

‘I’d never seen a prayer room like this before. In fact, I had never seen a specific room given over to prayer. I rummaged through the deep recesses of my mind; over the years I had visited cathedrals, chapels, churches, gospel halls, temples, synagogues, even a Buddhist monastery, but never before had I set eyes on a room like this,’ writes Judith.

During a visit to The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London, Judith met and was inspired by Lyndall Bywater, The Salvation Army’s 24-7 Prayer network coordinator who had organised and coordinated the UK Territory’s year of prayer. When Judith and David were called back to Aotearoa New Zealand, one of Judith’s appointments was territorial prayer ministries coordinator.

In April 2004, four days of prayer were held in the lead up to Easter at Territorial Headquarters—a forerunner to 24-7 Prayer. Judith’s thirst for prayer deepened, and it wasn’t long before the Holy Spirit moved the Territorial Coordination Council to endorse and embark on a 24-7-52 prayer journey.

Judith travelled the territory, encouraging corps (churches) to be involved. Prayer slots were faithfully filled, with individuals and groups encountering God in new and fresh ways. God’s work in and through His people impacted The Salvation Army in so many ways: forgiveness, healing, prophecy, miracles, repentance, restoration, first-time salvations and more.

Judith’s decision to record the testimonies and nuances of that season is significant, not just as an historical record but as a testimony to God’s work and also an essential resource for future adventures in prayer.

‘White Cloud Soaring is both inspiring and challenging, capturing the vital necessity of prayer, that most basic element of the Christian faith,’ wrote Commissioner Garth McKenzie in the book’s introduction. ‘I commend this book unreservedly and with grateful thanks for the impact 24-7 made on Judith’s life, as well as my own and that of Salvationists.’

You can buy White Cloud Soaring from Salvationist Resources, at shop.sarmy.net.nz.