Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Apr 16, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus - Nigeria Territory

Indanre Hills, Nigeria

Welcome to this week’s Worldwide Prayer meeting! It is our opportunity to look beyond our desk or table to the greater world and see what God is doing there. We thank Him for His personal involvement in our lives but know that the world is not only full of His wonders but is populated with His children. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are right now facing problems just like you are, while some are in desperate straits. We are connected, because in Christ we are one blood – the blood of the cross. Someday we’ll get to meet them all. How wonderful to be able to say, “I’ve been praying for you.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of this day. We think we know what’s going to happen, but we know from experience that we are often surprised – sometimes in good ways, sometimes in bad ways. We place ourselves in Your hands once again, trusting You with whatever unfolds. Thank You that you not only save us from our sins and redeem us from the past, but You have given us a future and a hope. It is not just that we have Heaven to claim someday but we have the evidence that You are in the minutes of my day today. Thank You, dear Savior, for leading me like a shepherd. I need that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Background of the Nigeria Territory

Nigeria was a British colony until it gained independence in 1960. Ethnically, Nigeria is largely divided between three rival tribal groups: the Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo and this has created tension over its history.

The country is marked by fertile, agricultural land and extensive mineral resources, most notably vast oil resources. Ninety-five percent of its foreign income is from the sale of oil. This has been largely offset by corruption that has siphoned off the income so that only a few benefit from it, although the government has been making strides against corruption in recent years. Social problems plaguing the nation include struggles with HIV/AIDS and the lack of development in the rural areas.

There is freedom of religion in Nigeria, but the country is divided between the less developed Muslim north and the more highly developed Christian south. In parts of the Muslim north, there have been many incidences of persecution against Christians including church burnings and Christians murdered. Despite the opposition, Christianity is flourishing in Nigeria with solid growth, especially among evangelicals who grew from 5% of the population in 1960 to 30% by 2010. But it has not been without problems including an overemphasis of the prosperity gospel as well as some Nigerian-based denominations weaving in traditional African beliefs with Christianity. Nonetheless, the gospel is making a ever deeper impact on Nigeria.

           The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army began work in 1920 when Lt. Colonel and Mrs. George H. Souter landed in Lagos, later reinforced by Staff-Captain and Mrs. Charles Smith and ten Caribbean officers. Work expanded to Mali in 2007, which then became a separate region in April 2011.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the Nigeria Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 227,852,662
• 389 officers, 205 envoys, 48 cadets, 666 employees
• 129 retired officers
• 214 corps, 159 societies and outposts
• 22,836 senior soldiers
• 1,773 adherents
• 8,873 junior soldiers

Leadership

Territorial Commander – Commissioners Daniel Kasuso

Chief Secretary – Lt. Col. Nkwachukwu Ezeonyilimba

Territorial President of Women’s Ministries - Commissioner Trasey Kasuso

Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries - Lt. Col. Nkechi Juliet Ezeonyilimba

Prayer Requests for the

Nigeria Territory

We praise and thank God for:

• Saving one of our expatriate officers from a road accident.

• Journeying mercies granted to the territorial leaders in their familiarization tour and installation of Abia Divisional leaders and Osun Sectional leaders.

• Journeying mercies granted to all the youth officers travelling to Abia Division for their annual workshop.

Territorial concerns for prayers:

• Wisdom and courage for our territorial leaders.

• God’s intervention so that the growth of the territory will not be hindered.

• That the Territorial Men’s Congress this year shall be a huge success.

• The Territory to be able to implement the fullness of the strategic plan from 2021-2025.

• Financial open doors to the territory and a successful 2024 Self-denial

• For Nigeria as a nation, that may God restore the economy and security of our nation.

• May God give Nigeria godly politicians, who will have feelings for the poor masses.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• The family of Lt. Colonel Sheila Lanier, who was recently Promoted to Glory
• Officers and their families who received farewell orders this past week
• Major Brenda Raymer, Territorial Director of Officer Resources, Personnel
• Esther Raeschael, Planned Giving Coordinator, Planned Giving
• Jamie Whiten, Production and Property Coordinator, ARC Command
• Joseph Chang, Senior Digital Media Developer, Communications
• Captain Bryan Farrington, Director of Property/Home/Transportation, EBC
• Cadet Barcey Godwin
• Captain Elyse Doborwicz, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Arkansas & Oklahoma Division
• Reverend Diane Ury, National Ambassador for Holiness, NHQ
• Lt. Colonels Ken & Melody Davis, officers, soldiers, employees and volunteers of the Florida Division
• Corps Councils
• Anonymous request that for those who are seeking spiritual growth will find it; and that our minds and hearts will be pleasing to God when Christ returns

Something to Consider

            Paper cups, goblets and all manner of drinking containers in between have one thing in common: they fulfill their function when holding a beverage. To be sure, the delivery of the beverage will be different based on the cup. But functionally, a cup is a cup is a cup. To a man dying of thirst, none of that matters. Just give him what’s inside.

            We are all cups of one sort or another. Some are more like goblets, others more like souvenir cups from a ballpark while still others homier – plain, if you will. As far as the Lord is concerned, how we appear is not nearly as important as what we carry inside. And to a dying world without Christ, the contents are all that matter.

            Here is the problem: because of being born with a sinful nature no matter how impressive the outside might be, the inside of our cups is dirty. And then by life decisions we make them dirtier still. If we are to convey hope to a dying world, if we are to be fit for the Master’s use, what is the answer?

            Fortunately, God has not left us in this sorry state. The Holy Spirit cleanses us and then fills us with what we need for holy living and what the world needs for life change. We probably can’t do much about the type of cup we are, but we can all be filled with the Holy Spirit, all offer the pure and holy life to God as our committed sacrifice, all bear the precious Living Water in the desert that is our fallen world.

            Are you available for His filling?

Benediction

The Lord bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen. (Numbers 6:24-26)