The idea for the year of prayer is to recruit at least 52 Corps/centers to do one week of 24-7 prayer, thereby covering a year of prayer across the territory.

Corps commit to man a prayer room from one Friday evening at 7pm until the next Friday evening at 7pm. The week is divided up into one hour slots and a coordinating team ensures that each slot is filled by at least two participants at any one time. The venue becomes alive with prayer. Walls are covered in paper and used for people to write and paint their thoughts and prayers. Music is played to create an appropriate atmosphere for the various kinds of prayer and petition. Different symbols such as water, candles, bread, etc., are available. Journals record prayer needs of the congregation and community while another journal records miracles and answers to prayer. At different times, different types of prayer are lead. There is a time for prayers of healing, time for kids and teenagers to pray, time for children to pray, time for prayerful reflection upon the news of the day and time for people to come and share their personal devotions.

Many people will be asking the inevitable question as to how to encourage people to sign up for the prayer room. The following are things that may motivate:

Many people will be amazed when you tell them powerful stories that have come through prayer. If you get time, I would recommend reading the book, Fresh Faith, by Jim Cymbala, as it describes a dramatic church growth in the Brooklyn Tabernacle, New York. This book describes the focus that the church maintained and that was and still is prayer. Red Moon Rising by Peter Grieg gives the history of the birthing of the 24/7 prayer movement, including the active involvement of The Salvation Army in the UK Territory and around the world.

There are many powerful books telling how the first Salvationists engaged in battle. Many times you will read about their all night prayer meetings, and the amazing things that happened during these times.

We would advise that in the meetings leading up to the 24-7/SA week teaching on prayer be given in preparation.

24/7 home -- connecting the generations -- church unity -- passion for mission -- how did 24/7 prayer start? -- what are the aims? -- is 24/7 a new thing? -- the celtic monks - what is 24/7 SA -- what is 24/7 SA prayer -- year of prayer -- how will 24/7 SA work? -- how do we motivate people -- stories of past experiences -- link it back to SA heritage -- biblical teaching on prayer -- pratice (half night prayer) -- cast vision -- prayer room --how do we get involved -- resource pack