Salem, Massachusetts, Friday Evening, July 14. A man walks out of the East India Mall into Church Street, singing a song. The words are like a prayer: “Open Up The Floodgates Of Heaven.” He sings joyfully, in a light-hearted manner. The melody lifts the words: “Let it rain,” he continues. 

As the song rises toward the star-speckled sky, other people follow him into the street. Salem in One Accord, Prayer and Worship Meeting is coming to a close. Some of the attendees linger on the sidewalk to chat and give thanks to God for such a powerful, uplifting meeting. Everyone is upbeat on this beautiful summer evening. God seems to have breathed fresh life into His children who gathered at North Shore Rock Church.

The attendees are from churches all around the city of Salem. They came to worship God and seek Him in prayer. Several hours earlier, prayer warriors had begun gathering, in advance of the meeting, in the prayer room adjoining the main sanctuary. By 7:30 pm, the official start time, things are well underway.

In all, about 70-80 believers join in worship as Lou Bodaloto, Pastor of Rock Church, leads the service. The Rock Church Praise and Worship Team provides powerful and beautiful music.

This is the third meeting of Salem in One Accord. The purpose of this series of meetings is to provide a way for fellow believers from every part of Salem to join together and ask God to transform the city. Several confess publically that the transformation being sought will mean significant changes in their own lives and in the Body of Christ.

At the same time, they speak boldly of how God will sustain and protect them that look continually to Him as this powerful revival unfolds.

After about 90 minutes of praise, worship and prayer, Pastor Bodaloto suggests the attendees form groups of 5 or 6 people each, to pray for one another. The Praise and Worship Team continues providing a beautiful backdrop for the prayers. Dozens of circles begin forming around the sanctuary. Brothers and sisters in Christ begin praying for one another, regardless of the church they attend. A powerful peace and sense of God's love dominates. People begin to openly share. Several stand up to tell how the Lord has visited them in a special way, through a recent dream or event in their life, confirming to many that the presence of God, by His Holy Spirit, is very close.

Some ask God to radically alter their lives if that's what's needed to enable them to reach lost souls with the love of Christ. Others ask for miracles of healing. Others pray for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit on the city. Still others ask God for thousands of salvations. Many fall to their knees and begin praying and glorifying God. 

The unity of believers from such a diverse set of backgrounds is extremely uplifting. Everyone is filled with joy as the remaining minutes of the meeting are spent singing songs of adoration with great reverence. The meeting ends with a benediction by Pastor Ventura Larado. Then slowly, as everyone seems reluctant to leave, people begin migrating toward the exit, still singing joyfully to the Lord. Much excitement prevails and there is clearly unity and love within the Body of Christ shown by all those present.

                                           ahs 7/19/02