Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Jul 30, 2024 | by Lt, Colonel Allen Satterlee

Ngorongoro Crater with the Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano in the background

Prayer Focus - Tanzania Territory

Good morning! Welcome to this week’s edition of the Worldwide Prayer meeting. We travel again to Africa, this time to Tanzania. As you can see from the picture above, it is a place of great beauty, but it is also one of great challenge, as you will read. Not unlike where we live. There is a lot you have to do today, a lot that is on your heart and mind. But we hope you can think of your brothers and sisters faraway and draw near them before our Father’s throne. God bless you.

Prayer

Dear Lord, sometimes we think of that old song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” It reminds us of Your loving care and protection, that no matter how big our problems seem to us, You contain them all in Your care. And when we think of people that we have never met in places far from us, we remember that they are also in Your hands at the same time, covered with Your care just like we are. That makes me feel closer to them. It reminds me that someday they won’t be strangers to me and that in Your Kingdom we will all get to know each other and hear each other’s stories as we dwell in Your presence. But then again, we are already in Your presence! This is sometimes just too good. Thank You that You have the whole world in Your hands, that You have the little bitty baby, the ones that I love, and You have me. That calms me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Background of

the Tanzania Territory

            Tanzania was formed from two former British colonies: Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Tanganyika gained its independence in 1961 while Zanzibar did in 1963. They joined together to form a one-party socialist republic but that ended in 1992 when it became a multi-party democracy. Tanzania has remained a stable country in an otherwise troubled region.

            Despite this, it has suffered from widespread poverty with most people living from subsistence farming. In the past few years, however, the economy has improved, and poverty has been eased. It has great potential through vast mineral deposits and enjoys a flourishing tourist industry.

            Tanzania has religious freedom, allowing all faiths to share and propagate their beliefs. There is a high degree of religious harmony, remarkable given the large percentage of Christians and Muslims in the country. Christians represent approximately 60% of the population, Muslims 35% and folk religions the remainder. There is some blending of folk religions with both Christian and Muslim believers. There has been an encouraging and steady growth among evangelicals with a strong church planting movement throughout the country. One of the great needs is for greater discipleship among believers.

            The Salvation Army: The Army’s work commenced in Tabora in November 1933 as part of the East Africa Territory under the leadership of Adjutant and Mrs. Francis Dare. In 1950, following a request for assistance from the Colonial Governor, The Salvation Army set up operations at Mgulani Camp, where the Tanzania Territorial Headquarters became a separate command on October 1, 1998, and, following significant growth, was elevated to territory status on February 1, 2008.

Facts, Stats and Leadership

of the Tanzania Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 69,468,293
• 280 officers, 21 cadets, 116 employees
• 12 retired officers
• 84 corps, 52 outposts
• 11,992 senior soldiers
• 3,675 adherents
• 5,773 junior soldiers

Leadership

Colonel Samuel Mkami​ - Territorial Commander

Colonel Mary Mkami​ - Territorial President for Women's Ministries

Lt. Colonel Willy Gibson - Chief Secretary

Lt. Colonel Anna Gibson - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

Prayer Requests for

the Tanzania Territory

• Pray for the Women’s Ministries Department.  Pray for more spiritual inspiration as they look at enhancing support for young girls in Tanzania, particularly those who need special attention due to being trafficked, living with HIV/AIDS etc

• Pray for the Women’s Ministries dormitory project. After realising that girls are struggling to find safe places to stay, especially those in universities, the Women’s Ministries Department have initiated a dormitory project, which will accommodate 40 students.  The aim is to accommodate up to 100 students.  Pray that the project be expanded to cater for the need. 
   
• Pray for the Youth Department and our young people. Pray that as they grow, their love for God and for the church will grow too. Pray that they will dedicate their lives to serving others and serving the Lord in the ministry they are called to.

• Pray for the country of Tanzania as it prepares for local government elections in October 2024.  Pray for peace and smooth elections.

• Pray for cadets of the Defenders of Justice session as they prepare for their July field campaign. Pray for their safe journey and more spiritual harvest.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• The family of Commissioner Barbara Jeffrey, who was Promoted to Glory this past week
• The family of Peggy Ainsworth, sister of Major Darlene Steadham, who was Promoted to Glory this past week
• Major Frances Pangrazio, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Territorial President of Women's Ministries, Women’s Ministries
• Community Relations and Development
• Shawnetta Murphy, Territorial Accounting Operations Manager, Finance
• Kara Rodriguez, Territorial Young Adult & Mission Coordinator, Youth
• Julie Pate, Territorial Kroc Staffing & Training Manager, Kroc Development
• Captain Nathan Bridges, Director of Curriculum, Evangeline Booth College
• Captain Josh Keaton, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Alabama, Louisiana & Mississippi Division
• Colonel Wendy Morris, Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Japan Territory
• Captain Sheri Jones, Assistant National Secretary for Program, NHQ
• Majors Bobby & Natalie Jackson, officers, beneficiaries, employees and volunteers of the ARC Command
• Local officers
• Anonymous request for the elderly and those suffering from dementia as well as their caregivers; for gang members and their families, that God would keep them safe from harm and help them realize their need for a Savior; for police, firefighters, military personnel and all who put their lives on the line to keep people safe.
• Latrice thanks God for this day.

Something to Consider

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2).

The ancient Greek storyteller, Aesop, told the story of a lion that watched carefully each day for an opportunity to feast on three bulls that shared a pasture. The bulls were the strongest of friends each coming to the other’s aid, thus leaving the lion no hope of ever attacking them successfully. Realizing this, the lion approached each bull secretly telling him that the others had slandered him or considered themselves better than him. It wasn’t long until the bulls argued, went to different pastures so they wouldn’t see each other and with that, became easy prey for the lion.

The love that Paul has for the church in Philippi sings through the entire letter. The words “joy” and “rejoicing” are mentioned 15 times, more than any other book of the Bible. But it was not a perfect church. With all that was going right, there was still an underlying current of disunity. And Paul knew that this infection could spread and be fatal.

If people share a common salvation, they would naturally be unified. However, salvation does not destroy our temperament, wipe away our knowledge or experiences, nor does it program us to sense, act, believe, or think identically as our fellow believers. Unity does not mean uniformity.

Often the ironic reality will be, for the very reason that we care deeply about the work of God, we will differ on how it is best accomplished. And after all, the person who gives thoughtless agreement likely does not comprehend what is being talked about or simply doesn’t care. Unity is not to be gained at the expense of truth, and more so at the expense of love. There can be agreement in a mob, for instance, but that does not mean it is doing the truly loving thing.

The difference between unity and uniformity is key. Imagine a symphony that gathered, and all the instruments played only the same note. What could be more boring? Instead, each instrument plays its own part while the others play theirs. The differences create richer, deeper chords and harmonies. The instrumentalists, while paying attention to their own music, are also keenly aware of the conductor and the other instruments in the symphony. At one time they might be silent while another section takes prominence. At another, it might be their time to carry the melody or shine with a solo part. Through it all an orchestra shares the same priority as each part moves together to the finish—it is unified, not uniform. In the same way, God wants each believer to employ his or her gifts as each has ability and opportunity, moving together toward a common goal.

Where Christian unity is authentically displayed is in a common love of the Lord and consequently love and appreciation for other believers. This is not to mean some people won’t rub us wrong. For one reason or another there are some personalities or something about someone’s approach that bothers us. But for the sake of Christ and the unity of His body, we choose to love and appreciate what that person brings to the table. In doing so, we can realize that there are likely those who are making the same allowances for us.

In addition, there is appreciation for different gifts and abilities employed for the same great overall goal. Paul dealt with this issue with Corinthians when he reminded them that we are all like different parts of the body, performing different functions but all making valuable contribution to the whole (See 1 Cor. 12:12-30).

What do we do when disunity exists? Paul urged the Philippians to move away from a scrutinizing what is wrong with the other guy to lifting our eyes toward Christ. Those differences and annoyances melt as we focus and rely upon Christ, fan into flame our love for Him, and remember that the reason we exist as a body at all is because of His redemption and keen interest in who and whose we are.

Benediction

Grant us Your peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds. May we experience harmony and unity in our relationships, seeking reconciliation where there is division. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.