Day 28: Praying for those suffering with ill health (1901)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 28 of 150 days of prayer.

• ‘Lord, save your people! Bless the people who belong to you! Take care of your people like a shepherd. Always carry them in your arms!’ (Psalm 28:9, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1901

The 9 February War Cry reported: ‘The Salvation Army at Wrexham has recently sustained a severe loss by the promotion to Glory of our late comrade Brother Dick Jones. We cannot always understand why the young and good are taken, but we have learnt to say, “God’s will be done.”

‘Brother Jones had been a very active worker in the service of God, and at one time an … officer; unfortunately, however, his health broke down and he was compelled, very reluctantly, to retire… 

He did not, however, ‘rest on his oars’, but immediately identified himself with Wrexham Corps, not only as a soldier, but Junior Worker, becoming also one of the local representatives of The Salvation Army Life Assurance.

‘He was never better pleased than when working at full pressure to get men and women saved, and as a result of his earnestness in this direction he was commissioned as Recruiting Sergeant.

To the sorrow of all his friends, and as a result of his earnestness, his health again broke down, and after a long and painful illness, he passed away triumphantly.’

Jones was typical of many officers who broke down under the strain of ministry. It was an extremely demanding role and William Booth was an equally demanding General, added to which there was no National Health Service in those days and medical provision was limited.

The article also reflects the attitude of Salvationists to death: ‘he passed away triumphantly’ and was promoted to Glory.

Prayer

• Pray for those whose health causes them to adjust their lifestyle but who continue to serve the Lord.
• Pray also for the families and friends of people that you know have been promoted to Glory in recent days.