Disciple: Intergenerational Prayer in Action
The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County Corps in Georgia is breaking down generational barriers and mentoring young people through a special prayer partner ministry.
The ministry, now in its second year, is a prayer-based partnership between teens and adults in the corps. Students 6th grade and older are offered the opportunity to be assigned a prayer partner. Partners are of the same gender, and leadership does their best to match according to the special characteristics and needs of each teen. After much prayer and discussion, corps leaders carefully select mentoring adults based on their reputable, spiritually strong, proven leadership at the corps. The selected adult is then paired with a teen in the corps who has opted into the ministry, the matchup is approved by the teen’s parents or guardians, and then the adult is officially invited to enter into a spiritual mentorship role in the student’s life.
Full Safe From Harm protocols are required at all times, including in communication methods, parents’ full involvement, and in-person meetings or gatherings. All selected adults are required to become Safe From Harm certified.
“The prayer partner ministry has had great success with transforming the lives of our young people,” Corps Sergeant Major Jeremy Rowland comments. He says the goal is “encouraging the student towards spiritual growth, accountability, mentorship, and being more like Jesus. The prayer partner ministry will have an immeasurable impact on the student’s life…”
Following a meet and greet breakfast designed to foster a spiritual connection between students and adults, the corps set aside time for a prayer partner dedication during Sunday worship on February 4.
“The prayer partner ministry is designed for our middle and high school students to be mentored and prayed for by an adult member of the corps,” Danielle Rowland, young people’s sergeant major, explained to the congregation. “We’ve been able to see intergenerational prayer and encouragement throughout these past 12 months of those who have been participating.”
Danielle continued, “As a church, we want our students to know that we see them. We want to pray for them; we want to support them and lift them up. We want to expand their prayer circle and allow them to see the power of prayer. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and joy as we have 12 new partnerships starting just this year.”
These 12 partnerships, combined with those from the previous year, bring the total number of partnerships now to 27 — 54 people total connecting spiritually to build one other up and uphold a commitment of prayer.
New partners, as well as those who have been in this mentoring relationship for the past year, were then invited to join each other at the altar. Danielle encouraged, “Colossians 4:2 is a great reminder to all of us this morning. ‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’ Prayer partners, pray for each other. Remember your prayer partner in your personal prayers and be thankful for them. Church family, let’s pray for our young people. Let’s pray for our adults who have agreed to mentor and support our students. Let’s be a church who prays for each other.”
With guitar renditions of “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and “To Be Like Jesus” crafting a musical backdrop, the prayer partners were invited to spend a few holy moments together praying over each other, over their new relationship, and over the many years of mentorship ahead of them.
Danielle closed out the time of prayer, asking God to continue to be present, guiding the steps of everyone at the altar, as well as the rest of the congregation.
The corps plans to incorporate special prayer times into worship services on a quarterly basis for those involved in this ministry. They also encourage joint service projects, planning to offer a day for prayer partners to serve side-by-side in ministry during the next Christmas season.