Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Jan 31, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Worldwide Prayer Meeting 

Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar & Thailand Territory

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations He has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
He burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:7-10

Prayer

O dear God, settle my heart before You today! There is so much that can steal my peace, so much that can make me afraid, so much that can irritate me when I want to be calm. Help me to remember that You are my fortress, that You surround me with Your strong walls of protection and that even if the enemy is all around, he cannot get through if I remain in You! As the psalmist says, You make the wars to cease. You break the bows and shatter the spears. You burn the shields with fire. In this moment, right now, let me be still and know that You are God. You are God. Not me. Not them. Not anything that might rise against me this day. You alone are God. Be exalted among the nations but be exalted in my life, in my little patch of earth today. At my desk. At my table. In my home. In my heart. Be exalted, O great God. Let me be still and know that You are God. I pray this in Your mighty Name. Amen.

Background of the

Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar & Thailand Territory

            Four very different countries comprise the Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar & Thailand Territory. In them you see a very real cross section of Asia itself.

            Singapore: Singapore is a true city-state largely crowded on an island that is 31 miles (50 km) long and 17 miles (27 km) at its widest point. A former British colony until 1965, it skyrocketed from poverty to one of the wealthiest nations per capita and highest standard of living by a strong and visionary government. Part of what has allowed the prosperity has been the government’s strong control, including maintaining racial and religious harmony. Freedom of religion is guaranteed but provoking other religions is forbidden.

            Christianity has blossomed since independence, largely among the most educated. There is great unity among Christian believers across all denominations and a strong sense of mission so much so that Singapore believers see themselves as a headquarters for mission activity for Asia. Many migrant workers provide a ready population within Singapore itself for mission activity as well. What undermines the church, however, is the prosperity of Singapore has resulted in a materialism among believers, resulting in fewer being willing to heed the call to ministry.

            Malaysia: Malaysia is divided into two sections: East Malaysia is a peninsula that extends into the continent of Asia while West Malaysia is on the northern third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia. It achieved independence from Great Britain in 1957. Its economy is based on exports of rubber, palm oil, petroleum, forest, and other agricultural products. More recently, industrialization and exploitation of its natural resources has enhanced its economy as the nation continues to develop.

            Sunni Islam is the official religion of Malaysia although other religions are allowed to exist. Over time, discriminatory laws and practices have crept in. All those of the Malay race are by law born Muslim and it is illegal for them to convert to another religion or for anyone to try to convert them. However, there are no laws preventing conversions of those of other religions and/or races.

            There have been periodic times of oppression against Christians, not overly severe but enough to intimidate. In parts of Malaysia the existence of radical Islamic groups is a threat. Christians are cautious as a result, perhaps more so than they need to be even among the populations that they are allowed to evangelize.

            Myanmar: Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar was under British rule until 1948. It has vast resources including teak forests, fertile soil for agriculture, precious gems and mineral deposits, offshore oil, and gas deposits. But despite this, most people live in desperate poverty at the subsistence level because of the corrupt government dominated by the military junta. Complicating this, vast areas of the countryside are under the control of militias that are fighting against the government. As the forces engage each other, they show little concern for who might be caught in the crossfire.

            Buddhism is recognized by the government as having special status. Freedom of religion theoretically exists but Christianity and Islam have both been suppressed. Christianity continues to grow despite poverty and opposition. This is particularly true in the northern area of the country.

            Thailand: The Kingdom of Thailand, a country since the 13^th Century, enjoys the distinction of having never been ruled by any outside power. The king of Thailand is a unifying figure for the constitutional monarchy even though there have been numerous military coups and political turbulence. Despite this, Thailand has been able to develop a strong economy based on a free market, fertile land – Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of rice – and aggressive industrialization that has led to strong exports of textiles, jewelry, and electronics. Tourism has made Thailand a major destination for world travelers.

            But there are problems as well. Unfortunately, there is a booming sex trade that involves women, men and sadly, children. There are over one million children are involved in child labor, particularly in the rural areas. HIV/AIDS is a major issue, although this has declined recently after a massive government education program. Thailand has traditionally and continues to host large numbers of refugees from neighboring countries.

            Although Buddhism is by far the prevalent religion, freedom of religion is guaranteed. Christianity is growing, increasingly led by Thai Christian leaders. There is a high standard of church life as well as a deep commitment to evangelism.

            The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army began in what was Burma in 1915 by Adjutant Taran Das (Reuben Moss). Originally attached to India, Myanmar in 1994 was joined to the Singapore and Malaysia Command.

            The Salvation Army was opened in what was Malaya when Major Herbert Lord began the work in Singapore in 1935. It spread to Panang (1935), Melaka and Ipoh (1940) and Kuching in Sarawak (1950).

            Thailand was officially opened in 2023 in Chiangmai. The command was elevated to territory status in 2005.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar & Thailand Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 165,844,299
• 133 officers, 9 envoys, 6 cadets, 876 employees
• 38 retired officers
• 57 corps, 12 outposts
• 2,835 senior soldiers
• 337 adherents
• 427 junior soldiers

Leadership

Territorial Commander – Colonel Hary Haran

Chief Secretary – Lt. Colonel Nigel Cross

Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries – Lt. Colonel Stacy Cross

Prayer Requests for the

Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar & Thailand Territory
 

• Pray that we will continue to have good people in government of the four countries who will make the welfare of people the priority in every government policy.
   
• Pray for sustainability in all our services, as well as outreach, that God will continue to provide the resources and at the same time show us more opportunities to meet the ever-changing needs of people.
   
• Pray that our officers, soldiers, staff and volunteers will be united and stand firm to uphold the functional role of the corps and be constantly reminded that together we are to be evangelical and united with churches around the world so that, as one Church in Jesus Christ, we participate in saving souls and making disciples for the glory of God.
   
• Pray for all our outreach programmes and initiatives to have a positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve. We ask for God’s blessing on all the efforts to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those we serve.
   
• Pray for the successful registration of Yangon Girls Home and Phyu Boys Home.
   
• Pray for the approval of the application for The Salvation Army in Myanmar to carry out social work in the country.
   
• Pray for Cadets Tharadon (Don) and Sriwilai (Nid) from Thailand as they go through their training to be officers (who will be the first national couple officer) ready for commissioning during the General’s visit to Chiangmai, Thailand in April 2024.
   
• Pray for God’s provision of sufficient resources, including financial support, volunteers, and partnerships, to enable the expansion of our services and reach more people in need.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• The family of Scottie Long, brother of Captain Robert Long, who was Promoted to Glory this week
• The family of Mae Kelly, mother of Major Andy Kelly and grandmother of Captain Laura Gesner and Lt. Abby Milner, who was Promoted to Glory this past week
• Colonel Deborah Sedlar, Chief Secretary
• Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, Territorial Commander
• Community Relations and Development Department
• Hailabe Hailu, Donor Data Analyst, CRD Interchange
• Anne Rajaratnam, Systems Network Administrator, Information Technology
• Karen Brooks, Administrative Assistant, Social Services
• Captain Josh Hinson, Director of Mission & Ministry, EBC
• Cadet Timothy Cook
• Captain Lorraina Crawford, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Potomac Division
• Colonel Wendy Morris, Territorial President for Women’s Ministries, Japan
• Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander, NHQ
• Lt. Colonels Dean & Pam Hinson, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Arkansas & Oklahoma Division
• Soldiers
• Anonymous prayer request for the families of the three American service members killed in the Middle East this week and for peace to prevail; request for God to guide our government leaders as well as the leaders in the corps

Something to Consider

            The Japanese occupation of Singapore during the Second World War remained in the consciousness of people for many years. Before the war it was thought that Singapore was an impregnable fortress, but the onslaught of the Japanese proved that was an illusion. Although the Japanese were cruel conquerors, they especially hated the Chinese. And three-fourths of Singaporeans were ethnic Chinese.

            There are stories too numerous to recount of random round-ups that ended with the slaughter of husbands, sons, and brothers. Petty crimes resulted in immediate executions. Indignities were commonplace. The three years of occupation left the populace on the brink of starvation. On the eastern tip of Singapore is the infamous Changi Prison, a site where countless thousands died either because of the vicious acts inflicted directly or because of the privations allowed.

            As happened when the Nazis marched through Europe, the Japanese immediately disbanded The Salvation Army when they seized control. There were but two corps in Singapore in those days, but the buildings were shut tight, worship forbidden, uniforms confiscated and destroyed, the officers sent to Changi Prison. But as it had countless other times when Salvationists were deprived of their beloved Army, the soldiers endured.  Somehow, they managed to get back into the corps building and smuggle out the Mercy Seat, camouflaging it under a coat of paint, hoping that its original color and place would one day be restored.

            In secret, handfuls of soldiers met together in gatherings that the military government said they couldn’t have. There they quietly sang songs of The Salvation Army, prayed, and comforted each other. As the war dragged on, some of their comrade Salvationists would be executed, others waste away in the prison, others lose faith. But most continued.

            How strange it must have been the first time it happened. Maybe they never knew his name, a decision made to protect them or himself. Perhaps he told them, but the years erased it from memory although not erasing the memory of the man. But one day a Japanese soldier found the Salvationists. He was wearing the uniform of the Imperial Japanese Army, the same one that enforced the starvation diet, that marched away their young men and killed or spared as the result of unpredictable whim. But he did not come to represent that army. He had belonged to The Salvation Army as an officer in his native Japan. He only wanted to worship with other Salvationists, to hear the songs of the movement that the conquered and the conqueror loved, to pray and to share with those whose common bond was a Savior and the Army that was owned by no nation. He sang with them in Japanese while they sang in English and Chinese. He came week after week, never betraying the Singapore soldiers and they never betraying him. In spirit they joined other Salvationists before and since who held the Army in their hearts when every outside evidence was stolen away. Their forbidden songs have echoed with the early Christians in the catacombs of Rome or the dungeons of the Inquisition. They risked because they loved.

            Before the war ended the secret Japanese Salvationist was transferred away. When Singaporeans remember their suffering during this darkest hour of their history, a handful of Salvation soldiers remember the one Japanese soldier and recall that not all bore arms against them wished them harm. After the war, they tried to find him, to thank him and have restored fellowship. But apparently, he perished on some unknown battlefield, no doubt faithful to his Lord to the end.

When the Salvationists removed the covering paint from their Mercy Seat, they also recalled that below the surface it had always been wholly the Lord’s. If so for furniture, how much more for a person? The testimony of the enemy who was a brother proved the truth again.

Benediction

Let us go forth in peace and dedicated to Your service, O Lord. Let us hold fast to what is good, render to no person evil for evil, strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak, help the needy and the afflicted, and honor all people. Let us love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of His Spirit. And may God’s blessing be upon us and remain with us. Amen.