Worldwide Prayer Meeting

May 21, 2025 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus

Spain & Portugal Territory

Plaza Cibeles in Madrid, Spain

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and His glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Isaiah 60:1-3

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that You bring light into this dark world. We have had those long nights when we wished for nothing more than the sun to rise and felt our hopes grow as the first rays reached up from the horizon. You have done that in my life. You brought light, not just when I received You as Savior but in those times when everything seemed dark in my world, when it seemed that my night would not end. But you brought the welcoming light of day. And You bring the light of salvation to the world. When I see what is happening, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the bad things, but then I see Your light cutting through all of that. You still save people. You still bring hope. You still make things new. You are never defeated or pushed back by the darkness but instead Your light banishes it. Jesus said that He is the Light of the World. Help me to carry that light forward as Your representative today so that they can see You and see that their darkness can be defeated. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Background of the

Spain & Portugal Territory

Portugal: An independent kingdom since 1143, Portugal had for many years suffered through difficult economic times. This improved with its entry into the European Union in 1986. The country still has significant challenges before it catches up with the rest of Europe.

After a 48-year dictatorship ended in 1974, freedom of religion was guaranteed but with the Catholic Church being given favored status. The Catholic Church has remained strongly traditional with its greatest influence in the southern area of the country. Since 1974, evangelical churches have shown encouraging growth while countering this at the same time there has been a drift toward materialism, substance abuse and individualism.

Spain: The larger of the two countries both in size of land and population, Spain also has a large immigrant population of over six million. It was under the Franco dictatorship from 1939 until 1975, which hampered its growth and development, but things improved significantly once it entered the European Union in 1986. Its main industries are tourism and agriculture.

The 1978 constitution guarantees freedom of religion but with the Catholic Church given special consideration. With this provision, Protestant growth has been encouraging. But Spain shows some of the same trends as much of Europe with morality and values that have declined, as well as growth in the interest in the occult and New Age teaching. Drug use is increasing as well as gambling addiction. Only 14% of young people describe themselves as religious.

The Salvation Army: Work began in Spain in May 1971 when Captain and Mrs. Enrique Roy were appointed to Lan Couruña. In July 1971 work commenced in Portugal in Porto. The two commands were combined on February 1, 2013, to form the Spain and Portugal Command. In 2023, the command was elevated to the status of a territory.

Facts, Stats and Leadership

of the Spain & Portugal Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 59,018,201
• 30 officers, 2 envoys, 3 cadets, 117 employees
• 8 retired officers
• 15 corps
• 536 senior soldiers
• 81 adherents
• 75 junior soldiers

Leadership

Lt. Colonel Rafael Giusti - Territorial Commander

Lt. Colonel Karina Giusti - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Major Sandra Bastos Carreño - Chief Secretary

Prayer Requests for the

Spain & Portugal Territory

Praise Points:

We praise God for:

• The way He strengthens and helps us in all the challenges we face as a territory.

• Allowing us to begin our Governance Board and for the impact it will have on the development and objectives of the territory.

• The people He is calling to serve as officers in both Spain and Portugal.

• The increase in membership reported by the corps.

• His faithfulness and for His mercy that remains with us.

Prayer Requests:

• We pray for the successful development of the boards, councils and committees throughout 2025.
• We pray for the gathering planned for the people interested in becoming officers, that God may confirm His calling in the life of every participant, and that every detail of the event may be guided by the Lord.
• We pray for the Territorial Institute of Music and Arts, that it may be of great blessing to each participant and that our musicians may feel a strong desire to evangelise through music and grow in their spiritual lives.
• We pray for the summer camps for children in both countries and for our young people taking part in EYE (European Youth Event), that God may pour out abundant blessings.

• We pray for the spiritual life and emotional wellbeing of our officers, soldiers, volunteers, and employees.
• We pray for the successful development of the various training programmes taking place this year, including soldier training, Women’s Ministries Local Leaders training, Ongoing Education, awareness programs, and others.
• We pray for success in the different fundraising campaigns and for steady progress towards greater self-sustainability in the appointments
• We pray for wisdom, strength, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon territorial leadership.
• We pray for the effective impact of The Salvation Army's mission in social programs, food and clothing distribution, breakfasts for the homeless, lunches for people in poverty.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, Territorial Commander
• Southern Spirit
• Tinika Wilson-Robertson, Employee Relations Manager, Human Resources
• Tiauna Hobbs, Worker’s Compensation Crimes & Claims Manager, Risk Management
• Geana Chaplin, Territorial Human Resources Administration, Human Resources
• Major Syung Young Lee, Assistant Principal for Training/Business Director, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Jieun Lee
• Captain Elyse Doborwicz, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Arkansas & Oklahoma Division
• Envoy Dr. Bill Ury, National Ambassador for Holiness, NHQ
• Lt. Colonels Kent & Melody Davis, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Florida Division
• Women’s Auxiliary

Something to Consider

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17).

In ancient times, large watchtowers were built into the walls surrounding cities. The man who stood was called the watchman and fulfilled very important roles. First, he watched for invading enemies. Whenever a threat appeared, he would sound the alarm, and the city would close its gates and prepare for battle. Second, as harvest time neared, the watchman watched over the fields as the crops ripened. He stood guard and watched so that animals and thieves could not steal the crops. If a predator appeared, the watchman would raise a loud vocal warning. Finally, a watchman also stood vigil observing the daily business of the city, looking for cheating or improprieties.

No wonder God used the role of the watchman to illustrate the work of His prophets. In Ezekiel 3:17, God told Ezekiel that he was a watchman over the house of Israel. Watchman literally means “to lean forward, observe, and sound the alarm.” We need watchmen on the wall today. As disciples and followers of Christ, our task is to identify danger and sound the alarm against deception and destruction that threaten His people. We are God’s mouthpiece, and survival depends on our alertness and willing, faithful commitment.

From God Morning, God

By Rick Corman

Benediction

I charge you to keep His command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:13-16).