Day 18: Praying for Connah's Quay (1891)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 18 of 150 days of prayer.

• ‘The Lord is alive! He is my strong Rock! Everyone should praise him! He rules as king! He is the God who saves me’ (Psalm 18:46, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1891

‘About ten weeks ago the Army commenced here (Connah’s Quay) in an old barn fitted up for a barracks. There was a large congregation in spite of the heavy snow and rain. A few comrades from Bagillt assisted in the opening’ (War Cry, 27 February 1892).

‘Devil defeated, we are fighting and mean victory through the blood and the fire’ (War Cry, 19  November 1892).

The military was very popular in the latter part of the Victorian era. Certain parts of the Church adopted the military metaphor and the idea of muscular Christianity. William Booth took the concept to a new level in 1878 when he changed the Movement from a committee-led Christian Mission to an autocratically directed Salvation Army. The War Cry reports reflect this change, with their use of ‘barracks’, ‘fighting’, ‘victory’ and their identification of the Devil as the enemy. The Army presented its story as a fight against sin and social evils.

Prayer

• Pray for Connah’s Quay Corps as they explore their purpose, mission and ministry to their community. Rejoice with them as new relationships are formed and cemented.
• Pray that we may never forget that our story continues to reflect our fight against sin and social evils.