Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Sep 18, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus -

Finland & Estonia Territory

Winter reindeer sledge racing in Ruka, Lapland in Finland

Good morning! By the time you look at this you have already done a number of things and thought about what is ahead. You’ve probably even solved a few problems. And if you have kids, you’ve managed to get some other people’s lives going as well. Take these few moments to be still before the Lord and let Him speak. He has something for you today. Maybe you won’t hear anything in particular, but there is something in the silence as well.

Prayer

Lord, we pray for the peace of the world: And for all the church of Christ across the face of the earth. For our leaders and mentors, and who help and encourage us, for those in danger and distress, for those who have asked us for our prayers, for travelers by land and sea and air, for all who lie sick, for the flourishing of the harvests of the earth, for those who are losing or have lost hope, for all who are laboring in Your name in whatever capacity this day and for ourselves. In Christ’s name. Amen.

- Adapted from a prayer from the early Church

Background of the

Finland & Estonia Territory

Finland: Finland was ruled by Sweden for 700 years, then by Russia for another 100. It finally achieved independence in 1917 and has a stable, multiparty democracy.

Finland enjoys a robust export-oriented economy based on high tech that is supplemented by traditional means, largely wood products. There is freedom of religion, but the Evangelical Lutheran and Finnish Orthodox Churches are recognized as national churches. Over 80% of the population identify as Christian with the non-religious being the second-largest category.

Although Finland has a strong Christian tradition that has included sending missionaries throughout the world, this is changing in the wrong direction. Humanism, secularism and materialism are increasingly taking hold and while 90% of Finns look favorably on the Church’s social work, only 8% regularly attend religious services. Finland is in desperate need of a revival.

Estonia: Long dominated by surrounding nations, Estonia was not independent until 1918. That ended with a Soviet invasion in 1940 accompanied by the murder and deportation of many Estonians. It became independent again in 1991 with a multiparty democracy.

Upon gaining independence in 1991, Estonia moved to a free market economy, joining the European Union that allowed it to attract foreign investment and enjoy sustained economic growth. It has been a showpiece of successful post-Soviet economic success.

There was severe persecution of all faiths during the Soviet occupation from 1940-1988. There is now no state religion and freedom of religion is guaranteed. But the long years of Soviet rule serious weakened Christianity in Estonia. Those claiming to be non-religious number 55% of the population, while those claiming to be Christian claim most of the remaining 45%. There is an open door for Christian ministry, but unfortunately, even among those claiming to be Christians, genuine faith is rare.

The Salvation Army: work in Finland was commenced on November 8, 1889 in Siltasaari Riding School, Helsinki, by four aristocratic Finns – Captain and Mrs. Constantin Boije with Lieutenants Hedvig von Haartman and Alva Forsius. Within six months, Hedvig von Haartman was appointed leader of the work in the country.

Work in Estonia began in 1927 and continued until 1940, when it was closed due to the Second World War. It recommenced in the autumn of 1995, when three Finnish officers were assigned to start the work in Tallinn.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

Finland & Estonia Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 6,982,905
• 32 officers, 4 envoys, 274 employees
• 69 retired officers
• 25 corps, 6 outposts
• 613 senior soldiers
• 190 adherents
• 25 junior soldiers

Leadership

Lt. Colonel Saga Lippo – Territorial Commander

Lt. Colonel Esa Nenonen – Secretary for Programme

Major David Kotrikadze – Chief Secretary

Major Anna Kotrikadze – Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries

Prayer Requests for the

Finland & Estonia Territory

Finland

We thank God:

• for the summer congress we had in June with the General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox
   
• for the children’s summer camps
   
• for the flourishing youth ministry at Vaasa Corps
   
• for the officers, employees, soldiers and volunteers committed to God’s mission through the Army

• for the donations from the general public. We pray for all the donors.

We would like you to support us in prayer for:

• people to be willing to become part of the Army as adherents, soldiers and officers
   
• finding creative ways to minister to young people and children
   
• the new community project plant in East Helsinki
   
• the men’s, women’s and senior programs in the fall
• for the iCare secondhand shops to be continued developed as means of self-support
   
• for seeking God and His ways

Estonia

We thank God:

• for the smooth appointment moves and ask for your prayers for the officers who moved, and the corps involved, so new fruits will grow in the corps.
  
  
• for all our officers and employees, for their love and care for the people we serve. Please pray for their health and protection.
  
  
• for our cadet who will be commissioned in October, and for the new cadet who starts her training this September. May God bless them both in their new chapter of life with Him.

We ask you to pray for:

• our children and youth, for new ways to attract them into our corps and to make new disciples of Christ. Thank God for those who serve our youth and children.

• our financial situation, to become more independent and find new ways to receive fundings from within Estonia itself.

• new opportunities to develop our spiritual and social work in Estonia, with starts with good relationships with the local governments.

• our planned 30^th anniversary in 2025 (from the returning of TSA in Estonia in 1995). May God´s will be done and His name glorified.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• Captain Brett Cundiff, Command Secretary for Program, Adult Rehabilitation Center Command
• Investments Department
• Jeff Jellets, Emergency Disaster Services Coordinator, Emergency Disaster Services
• Tianna Roberts, Mailroom/Administrative Clerk, Finance
• Dianne Kendrick, Planned Gifts Operations Manager, Planned Gifts
• Captain Josh Hinson, Director of Mission & Ministry, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Robert Moore
• Colonel Paula Johnson, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Texas Division
• Lt. Colonels Allan & Fiona Hofer, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Potomac Division
• Junior Soldiers
• Latrice M. has asked for God’s blessings on her today.

Something to Consider

First Thing

Matthew 6:25-34

            An old legend tells of a day when Death was headed toward a city. A man stopped Death to ask what he was going to do. “I plan to kill 10,000 people in that city over there.” The man cried out, “That’s terrible!” Death replied, “Well, that is my job. It’s what I do.”

            The man ran into the city to warn people. He went from place to place to tell them of Death’s plan. At the end of the day, he met Death again. “I thought you were going to kill 10,000 people but 70,000 people died. What happened?” Death answered, “I only killed 10,000. Worry and fear killed the others.”

            After Jesus taught the importance of having the right perspective on money and material possessions, He continued to explain about the Father’s care of His children. He said this at a time when there was great uncertainty. Famine and drought could happen at any time. Armed revolts not only swept away the innocent, but the inevitable retaliations could catch them in the crossfire as well. As a conquered people they knew that genocide was a reality that the strong could inflict on the weak. How disease affected the body was barely understood let alone how it was transmitted so that in a short time plagues could usher tens of thousands into eternity. Infant and child death were common. Many young mothers breathed their last in childbirth. These were perilous times.

            Add to that, there are some people who by their personality seem born to worry. They fear what is there or what could be there. They hear of some catastrophe and know that something similar could happen to them. Perhaps they quite wisely prepare for the worst, but even when that is done, they worry about those things for which no preparation can be made. After all, where in the world are you truly safe from an asteroid? Every disaster movie makes it clear that unless you’re the heroine, you don’t stand a chance.

            Whether the reasons for fear and worry seem to be real to another person or not, they are very real to the person who is beset by them. The words of Jesus that follow are a balm to the anxious soul.

            First, Jesus told His listeners to have the right perspective. One of the great problems with worry and anxiety is that the fears fuel themselves so that the concerns seem large and then impossibly huge. Remember those times you stubbed your toe. It might have been that the other 99% of your body was pain free but at that moment your toe grabbed all the attention. Jesus gently said, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (vs. 25). Get the perspective that there is always more right then there is wrong, that though there are threats there are also people and things upon which you can fully depend. Most of all, God is faithful.

            Second, Jesus reminds them that the birds and the flowers live their lives free of worry. Why? Because the heavenly Father is looking after their interests. We have a bird feeder in our backyard. My grandchildren love to go out with me to put seed in the feeder and then sprinkle some on the ground for the squirrels. But occasionally we get busy and forget or we go away for a few days and the seed runs out. We have yet to find starved birds on the ground or emaciated squirrels hanging from the trees. They find something else to eat because the Father has already looked after their interests.

            Thirdly, Jesus says that those who do not believe in Him are concerned about these things, but the child of God should not be. He comforts His listeners by reminding them, “Your heavenly Father knows you need them” (vs. 32). You belong to the One who furnished all the power to light all the stars in the universe. His design is stamped on galaxies and on the tiny atoms. The sky spreads over you diffusing the sunlight so you are protected and carries the clouds so you can drink your water. Putting a shirt on your back or food on your table is not too difficult for Him. He knows what we need and if for some reason we don’t get it, probably we didn’t need it at all. Or perhaps as when Elijah left the sheltering brook of Cherith (1 Kings 17:7-9), God needs to move you along somewhere else.

            Fourthly, the child of God is not to constantly be concerned about things. We are not to be seekers of this or that but seekers of Him. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” (vs. 33). Keep Him ever before you. Look after the interests of the kingdom of God and the King will make sure you are given what you need.

            Deep in the heart of God is the reason that He who is self-sufficient wants us to handle things for Him. He doesn’t really need us. But He has chosen to involve us in His work. This is not to distract from what is important but to help us look up to what is.

            Finally, Jesus reminds them that there is not a blessed thing that a person can do about the unknown events that will occur tomorrow. But just as you had your hands full dealing with today, you’ll have your hands full dealing with the new day when it dawns. Although you can plan for tomorrow, your plans cannot happen until you get there. And you’ll only be able to get closer a minute at a time. The Father is already there. He already knows what you will need in this moment just as He knows what you will need five minutes from now.

Benediction

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21-21)