Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Sep 24, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus -

India South Western Territory

Elephant Festival in Kerala, India

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name;
make known among the nations what He has done.
Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of all His wonderful acts.

Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

I Chronicles 16:8-10

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day that has already unfolded in front of me. I thank You that even though You have millions upon millions of children scattered across the world, You still love me and care about what is happening in my life. Thank You that You found me and through the gift of salvation You adopted me into Your family so that I not only have an earthly family, but I have brothers and sisters of all ages, races, nationalities, cultures, shapes and sizes. Thank You that I have a hope that is founded on the certainty of who You are. Thank You that I have a life that is connected to Your eternal life and that someday You will let me share in Your restored Kingdom here on Earth. I praise You for this and so much more, my good and gracious King. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Background of the

India South Western Territory

Kerala’s prominence goes back to ancient times to the Chera Dynasty. As far back as 3000 BC it has been known for its importance in trade, particularly spices. In the present, it enjoys the highest literacy rate and lowest population growth of any state in India, as well as the longest life expectancy and is the least impoverished.

Agriculture contributes significantly to its economy through the production of pepper, rubber, coconut, tea, coffee, cashew and spices. The fishing industry is also important. Named one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is one of the top tourist destinations in India with sandy beaches and beautiful tropical scenery.

There is a diverse religious scene. While Hindus dominate with 56% of the population followed by Muslims with nearly 25%, there is a very strong Christian presence of nearly 20%. Christianity was established by Syrian Christians, descendants of those believed to have been evangelized by the Apostle Thomas who tradition says came to India to reach the subcontinent for Christ. Kerala has a diverse Christian scene with a wide variety of Christian ministries and denominations at work. A lot of the reason for the high literacy rate in the state is the investment of Christian ministries into education system. The danger to the Christians in Kerala is nominalism and a kind of Christian caste system, mirroring the tradition of the Hindus.

The Salvation Army: Salvation Army work commenced in the old Travancore State on March 8, 1896, by Captain Yesudasen Sanjivi, who was a high caste Brahmin before his conversion. His son, Colonel Donald A. Sanjivi, became the first territorial commander from Kerala. The work spread to other parts of the state through the dedication of pioneer officers, including Commissioner P.E. George. The India South Western Territory came into being on October 1, 1970, when the Southern India Territory divided into two. The territory has its headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and comprises the entire Malayalam-speaking area known as Kerala State.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

India South Western Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 34,630,192
• 276 officers, 15 auxiliary-captains, 11 envoys, 88 employees
• 333 retired officers
• 318 corps, 12 outposts and societies
• 27,885 senior soldiers
• 4,667 adherents
• 2,189 junior soldiers

Leadership

Colonel John William Polimetla - Territorial Commander

Colonel Ratna Sundari Polimetla - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Lieut-Colonel Gurnam Masih - Chief Secretary

Lieut-Colonel Razia Gurnam - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

Prayer Requests for the

India South Western Territory

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for Wayanadu
  
  Wayanadu is the name of a district in Kerala which has recently experienced devastating landslides. More than 400 people have died and 150 are still missing.  Rescue operations are underway with government and NGOs doing their best to protect and provide food and shelter to the people in the affected area. Please pray for all those people who are suffering because of this natural disaster, for those grieving and those who are missing to be found.
   
• Candidates for Salvation Army officership
  
  The shortage of candidates is one of the serious issues facing the India South Western Territory. For various reasons, most young people have no interest in officership. Please pray that young people will respond to the call to serve as officers in The Salvation Army.
   
• Unemployment and barriers to employment among young people
  
  Unemployment is a big issue in Kerala. Job vacancies are low and job opportunities for Christians in the government sector are declining. There is a limit to the number of jobs available to Christians (1%). Please pray for job opportunities, particularly for our young people.
   
• Religious opposition
  
  In certain parts of the state, there is a lot of religious opposition towards Christians. Many Salvationists are facing opposition because of their faith and are feeling uncertain. Please pray for them to stand boldly as Christians, even when this feels difficult.
   
• Giving thanks
  
  In the midst of these issues, we are so grateful to God for good leadership, for committed Salvationists and the resources we need for a better future and to overcome financial challenges.

Amen!

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• The family of Lois Delp, mother of Major Candy Biggers, who was recently Promoted to Glory
• Captain Wendy Parsons, Territorial Coordinator for Child and Adult Safety, Personnel The family of Lois Delp, mother of Major Candy Biggers, who was recently Promoted to Glory
• Music Department
• George Burkhardt, Territorial Kroc Business Technology Project Manager, Kroc Development Department
• Chris Benjamin, Director of Production & Operations – Soundcast, Communications
• Paul Brackett, Director of Loss Control, Risk Management
• Lt. Cristina Tilley, Director of Family Life Center, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Isaiah Stegall
• Captain Josh Keaton, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Alabama, Louisiana & Mississippi Division
• Major Alma Cain, Associate Director of Moulton Student Center at Asbury University, NHQ
• Lt. Colonels Art & Ann Penhale, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Texas Division
• Senior Residences
• Anonymous request for herself, her family and all those around her, asking for unity and that God would touch them in all areas.

Something to Consider

Back in the days when I was single and had to cook for myself all the time, I discovered the magic of barbecue sauce. Although some little chicken may have given her life to provide me some tender white meat, I found that covering her offering with barbecue sauce made me appreciate what she did just a little more.

I have always found pigs particularly offensive. As Colonel Henry Potter of the old M*A*S*H* television series once commented, “Pigs are ugly. You do a pig a favor when you eat it.” I have never heard a pig squeal but that it made me long to send it to the slaughterhouse. And to see one of those little oinkers kept as a house pet only goes to show you that P.T. Barnum was right about a fool being born every minute. But all is forgiven if the pork is swimming in barbecue sauce.

In those days of my culinary experimentation, I found you can slap barbecue sauce on about any meat and a variety of vegetables to good effect. In fact, if there is something that doesn’t quite taste right there is really no need to figure out what’s wrong. A little more barbecue sauce and the problem is fixed. And even if the meat was not quite right, I always figured that it was partially redeemed because the barbecue sauce made it at least taste better. Barbecue sauce. Put it in barbecue sauce and I’ll at least give it a try.

What I believe about cooking I have also translated to the world of repairs. Paint it. If it’s broken beyond all repair, paint it and at least it looks better. While others are discussing interior design, a gallon of flat latex will settle the matter quickly. If it’s dirty, it may require a second coat. If it’s really dirty it will have that grainy texture that people pay extra money for and call artistic. If there are cracks, just keep painting the spot and pretty soon it’ll fill in. If not, see the comment about texture above.

The real value of barbecue sauce and paint is what they cover up. That’s well and good with things like pork chops old fences but it doesn’t work at all with our souls. In fact, my sloppy approach to life may be annoying in the kitchen or workshop but it is absolutely deadly in my spiritual life.

No matter how much barbecue sauce there is it still doesn’t change the meat underneath. No matter how much paint I throw on an old wall, it doesn’t mean the wood quits being wood. No matter how much I dress up an old sin, it doesn’t quit being a sin. It’s just a prettier sin, a more delectable sin but a sin, nonetheless.

It is precisely this trait of human nature that infuriated Jesus so much when He was dealing with the Pharisees. In Matthew 23:27-28 we find Jesus pressing the attack when He says, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”  Painting the outside of a tomb doesn’t change the fact that inside is death. Covering up our sin doesn’t change the fact that it strangles our souls. To try to cover it is to appear as pitifully ridiculous as Adam and Eve did when they crouched in the bushes trying to hide from God. The solution is not to make ourselves prettier. The solution is to have ourselves cleaned up by the Savior.

I have no idea who will read this, but I am confident of this. You may be the one that has tried to beautify what is terribly ugly. Do not apply another coat of paint – there isn’t enough to fill in the cracks. It is time for cleansing. It is time for God’s forgiveness.

Benediction

May God bless you this day as you walk before Him, seeking to please and honor Him in all you do. Amen.