Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Jun 26, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Cape Town, South Africa

Prayer Focus -

Southern Africa Territory

We greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us for this week’s Worldwide Prayer meeting. This is a unique opportunity that we in The Salvation Army have to stop and link our hearts and minds with others around the world as we pray with and for each other. It is a precious time, a wonderful privilege and a great fellowship that is ours in Jesus Christ.

Prayer

O God our Father, Thank You for this moment to pray to You. Thank You for all the other believers around the world who are lifting their hearts before You. Some are in desperate need, so I come before You now on their behalf and ask You to intercede for them in this moment of need. Some are praising You, so I join in their song of praise. Some are confused, so I ask You to light the path before them and make the way clear. Some are seeking You for an answer, direction, a blessing for their plans. Guide them in the proper way. Some are asking forgiveness, and if that repentance is real, show them Your grace. If it is false repentance, continue to discipline them so that they can learn what they need to from Your hand. I come before You on my own behalf to simply say that You know what I need today. I trust You with that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Background of the

Southern Africa Territory

South Africa: The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910. It became a white-minority parliamentary government in 1961 and instituted the infamous “apartheid” system that marginalized all non-whites politically, socially, legally and economically. This brought about untold suffering to millions of the majority population. The unjust situation brought increasing worldwide condemnation as well as increasing internal resistance that resulted in the economy worsening and increasing political isolation. This finally triggered change in the 1980s with apartheid being repealed in 1991 and the nation enjoying its first free national democratic election in 1994 that brought Nelson Mandela into power. His government worked hard to set up a free, non-racial government and constitution and initiated the long healing process with commendable success. Less success was seen in succeeding administrations, but South Africa was able to maintain free elections and transitions in power and a stable government.

South Africa remains the richest and most industrialized country in Africa with a strong agricultural base and some of the world’s largest mineral deposits of gold, platinum, and chrome. It also has done well with in the fields of finance and tourism while fighting the scourge of high unemployment. Social problems also include corruption and the impact of AIDS. There is still much to be done to correct the long term damage caused by apartheid, especially seen in the urban areas with shantytowns, slums and townships.

There is freedom of religion with a vast majority of the population claiming Christianity. The Global Day of Prayer was birthed in Cape Town and South Africa has traditionally had a strong mission focus.

eSwantini (Swaziland): A British protectorate until 1968, eSwantini is a monarchy with a democratic government. The excesses of the monarchy compared to the poverty of much of the country remains a source of controversy.

Its economy is mostly agricultural with exports of sugar, citrus and wood pulp, but there is also some manufacturing and mineral production.

There is freedom of religion with Christianity by far the leading religion, although there has been a problem of nominalism and the mixing of traditional African beliefs that has watered down the gospel. What is far more of a problem is the lax morality among believers has contributed to the largest incidence of HIV of any country in the world – currently standing at around 26% - and this is a huge improvement over what it had been.

Lesotho: A British protectorate until 1966, Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy with a most ceremonial king. While it has suffered some political instability in the past, that has shown improvement.

The country is uniquely challenged because it is completely isolated being surrounded by the nation of South Africa. Its mountainous terrain, poor infrastructure, lack of good land for agriculture, among other factors has left half of its population under the poverty line. Most live by subsistence farming. Sources of income include hydroelectricity, diamond mining and remittances from foreign workers, most of whom work in South Africa.

HIV is a huge challenge although progress has been made. There is freedom of religion and although the vast majority claim Christianity, it has been a nominal forma and often mixed with traditional African religions as well.

Namibia: A German colony from 1883-1915, Namibia was then ruled by South Africa until 1990. It gained independence after a long and costly war that severely disrupted the country. The major party, SWAPO, renounced Marxism and embraced multiparty democracy.

Namibia is a stable country that is rich in natural resources. It has mostly arid land and is sparsely populated. There is a large gap between the rich and poor, with large unemployment of nearly 20%. There is freedom of religion with Christianity being the primary religion and encouraging signs of renewal in recent years. Countering that is the high prevalence of HIV, among the highest in the world, although this rate has been declining at an encouraging rate.

Island of St. Helena: A British overseas territory, St. Helena is one of the most isolated places in the world, it finally opened an airport which was immediately dubbed, “the most useless airport on earth.” Because of its isolation, it has a weak economy with almost all of its revenue support coming from the UK. Most of the residents claim Christianity but church attendance has been declining with The Salvation Army and the Baptist church the only evangelicals present on the island.

The Salvation Army: On March 4, 1883, Major and Mrs. Francis Simmonds with Lt. Alice Teager opened fire in Cape Town. Other officers were sent to St. Helena in 1886 to consolidate work commenced in 1884 by Salvationist “Bluejackets.” Social services began in 1886. The Salvation Army’s first organized ministry among the African people was established in 1888 in Natal and, in 1891, in Zululand. Work in Swaziland (now eSwatini) was commenced in 1960. Having previously been in Namibia from 1932-1939, the Army reestablished a presence there in January 2008 and was given official recognition on March 11, 2008.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

Southern Africa Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 68,943,803
• 152 officers, 2 auxiliary-captains, 6 cadets, 505 employees
• 96 retired officers
• 164 corps, 64 outposts
• 18,129 senior soldiers
• 1,357 adherents
• 3,947 junior soldiers

Leadership

Commissioner Torben Eliasen - Territorial Commander

Commissioner Denise Eliasen - Territorial President for Women's Ministries

Lieut-Colonel Themba Mahlobo - Chief Secretary

Lieut-Colonel Nokuthula Mahlobo - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

Prayer Requests for the

Southern Africa Territory

Praise:

• We praise God for the 12 Champions of the Mission currently in College, pursuing their calling to officership.
   
• We thank God for the successful recommencement of the Territorial Mission Team in 2023 and for its continuation in 2024.

Prayer:
 

• Pray for spiritual and numerical growth in the Territory, reflecting genuine transformation and discipleship.
   
• Ask for God's provision and innovative solutions as government financial grants decrease for Social Centres around the Territory.
   
• Pray for an increase in people responding to the call to officership, and that intentional mentoring and discipleship may effectively nurture and prepare future officers.
   
• Pray for God's wisdom and guidance in implementing the Territorial Strategic Plan, overcoming obstacles, and uniting officers and soldiers in mission. Pray for effective resource utilisation and outcomes that glorify God.

• Pray for the upcoming Brengle programme to be a time of spiritual renewal and revival, with impactful messages and open hearts to the Holy Spirit's leading.

We are grateful for the collective prayers of the International Salvation Army for our Territory!

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• Major Raymond Cooper, Mission, Evangelism & Cultural Ministries Officer, Adult Ministries
• Youth Department
• Tara Bueford, Community Relations & Development Operations Manager, CRD
• Aleta Wyche, Legal Administrator, Legal
• Shelton Fowler, Assistant Director of Facility Design & Construction, Property
• Cadet Danielle Farrington
• Captain Dominique Darby, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Georgia Division
• Lt. Colonel Jeanne Baker, Human Anti-Trafficking and Special Projects Officer (SAWSO), NHQ
• Majors John & Cristina Murphy, officers, soldiers, employees and volunteers of the Georgia Division
• Latrice left a prayer request asking that she would find salvation.
• Anonymous prayer request thanking God for making it through the weekend and asking for mercy for those who did not; also asking that God would guide in the upcoming presidential election, that the most qualified person would occupy the office of the presidency

Something to Consider

            Simon thought he was a hero because in his house on this day sat Israel’s most famous Son, the rabbi from Galilee. As was the custom when a notable person was invited to a meal, there was an open house. The problem was that it was open to anyone. Simon could not have expected her to show up. But there she was and then she did what she did. As the Bible tells us, “A woman in the city, who was a sinner when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head and she kissed His feet and anointed them with fragrant oil” (Luke 7:37,38 NKJV).

            This notorious sinner had the nerve to not only enter Simon’s house but to actually touch Jesus! Imagine the scene. Kneeling behind Jesus where He inclined for the meal, those present watched in stunned silence as her body heaved its sobs, her tears causing makeup to streak her face, then flowing like a small river on the feet of Jesus. She could see that His unwashed feet were muddied by her tears. Her hair, which should have been up as a sign of modesty, hung down to His feet. Without hesitation she used it to wipe them. The tears were not enough. The gift she brought to present that day was opened, its fragrance overpowering every other odor, covering His feet not only with tears but this precious oil. Now His feet were clean and she, amazed she hadn’t been pushed away and unheeding the eyes fixed upon her, would not stop until she covered His feet with her kisses in a sign of utter subjection.

            Simon’s reaction was one of judgment for both Jesus and this woman. Didn’t He know what this woman was? Surely a prophet would be able to tell.

            Knowing his thoughts, Jesus told a simple parable of two men who owed debts, one for a lesser amount, one for a greater. Both men were unable to pay but were forgiven completely. Could Simon not understand that grace is as humanly unattainable for a “righteous” man like him as it was for this sinner? But no. He missed the point and missed the grace.

            Having tried to get him to understand through parable, Jesus now confronts Simon directly. “Do you see this woman? I entered your house and you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil…” (Luke 7:44-46). Simon ignored even the basic courtesies and was shamed by a woman, a sinner, who came to heavily invest herself in loving Jesus, giving to Him and caring little about anything else. Simon approached Jesus with a casual informality while this woman had worshipped Him with her whole heart.

We are more often like Simon than the sinner. We know who Jesus is, we try to honor Him, but we can do it in such a way as to treat Him as less than Lord. How many of us go to the Sunday meeting without whispering a prayer beforehand inviting Him to be among us? How many throw bits and pieces, scraps if you will, into the offering plate? How many are content to go home feeling good about a meeting where there has been no evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence, where no lives are changed or touched and the world left unchanged? We have had our time of fellowship, sung our songs and done our bit but Jesus was never properly honored let alone truly worshipped. Like Simon, we assume because we are there it is enough. We can be casually indifferent so that we are more intent on judging what went on in the meeting than coming humbly to the feet of Jesus to offer Him our best.

In it all we can miss the point of the parable that we are as unable to pay the price as the worst sinner in our town. Our pockets are empty and there is no line of credit. We stand next to the murderer and the addict and the prostitute in desperate need of grace. No resume’ or public relations firm can put a better face on it. Sin has bankrupted us. Hear the words of Jesus spoken not only to the woman but to us: Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace. We rejoice with the writer of the old song that says,

            Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe.

            Sin had left a crimson stain,

            He washed it white as snow.

Benediction

Help me this day, dear Lord, to walk in grace. Not proud but grateful. Not condemning, but helpful. Not motivated by boasting but lifted by Your blessing. Amen.