Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Prayer Focus - Middle East Region
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:1-3; 10-11
Prayer
Righteous Father, we find our strength and hope in You. Sometimes it seems like this old world is shaking itself apart and that we can’t be sure of things that once we depended on. But we can depend on You. We think of the old hymn that reassures us, “This is my Father’s World/Oh, let me ne’er forget/That though the wrong seems oft so strong/ God is the ruler yet.” You own this old world. You are not baffled by any of what is going on, not in it and not in my life. So, when I start to worry, remind me that You are my refuge and my strength. I can hide myself in You and I am safe. Cover me with Your hand. Tuck me away. Let me feel Your arms around me. Sometimes I need that more than anything else. Thank You that I can find it in You, my loving Lord. In Jesus’ name I rejoice. Amen.
Take a moment to listen to this worship song by the International Staff Songsters, “Christ in Me.”
Background of the Middle East Region
That The Salvation Army can be at work in this part of the world is something of a miracle in itself. These four countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and United Arab Emirates, all share certain things in common:
- Ethnically, they are Arabic but heavily dependent on expatriate workers, primarily from South Asia, the Philippines and Asian countries.
- Economically, they have enjoyed their current prosperity because of the presence of oil reserves. However, the oil reserves are starting to decline so there are also efforts being made to diversify the economies for long term growth and prosperity.
- Religiously, they have for many centuries been solidly Muslim and each has in place laws making it illegal to proselytize (convert) Muslims to other faiths.
- Each allows a degree of freedom of religion among the expatriate community. This includes allowing evangelism to and with the expatriates.
- Governmentally, although there are elements of democracy in each, they are governed along traditional lines of a sultanate or kingdom.
- Each is experiencing some friction between traditionalists and progressives, which has been accentuated by the rapid change brought about by the wealth and development that the oil boom has brought.
- Expatriates in these countries are often poorly treated, which has provided an opportunity for ministry among the Christian communities. Human trafficking is an issue both for labor and exploitation for other purposes.
The Salvation Army: Unofficial meetings were held among Salvationists for some years, leading them to contact International Headquarters to request that formal work be opened. Captains Mike and Teresa Hawley with Captains Robert and Glenis Viera from the USA Southern Territory were appointed in August 2008 to open the work in Kuwait, followed by the United Arab Emirates, then Bahrain and finally Oman. It was designated a region in April 2011.
Facts, Stats and Leadership of the Middle East Region
Statistics
- Total population with which to fish and disciple: 22,850,224
- 4 officers, 3 employees
- 8 corps
- 387 senior soldiers
- 38 junior soldiers
Leadership
Major Douglas Newman - Regional Commander
Major Janet Newman - Regional Leader for Ministry and Mission
Major Paul Ferguson - Regional Secretary
Major AmyJo Ferguson - Assistant Regional Leader for Ministry and Mission
Prayer Requests of
the Middle East Region
Middle East Region
As a region our foundations are firmly planted in faith, we are inspired by the living hope of Jesus Christ, and endeavor to serve our neighbors in love. We thank God for the privilege of Christian worship and for faithful soldiers and officers from around the world who have come to the Middle East to live and work. We are grateful for the financial support our region receives which allows us to continue God's mission through The Salvation Army.
Prayer requests:
- We pray for reconciliation and peace in the Middle East. We ask for prayers of strength and guidance for believers living and working in the Middle East who seek to live in harmony with all people and to be peacemakers in an area of the world which is often divided.
- We are praying for God to open a pathway to official registration and recognition of The Salvation Army within the countries of the Middle East Region. We pray specifically for God to raise up friends of The Salvation Army who are people of influence within the countries we work.
- We pray especially for the victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. We pray that God would open doors to freedom and that traffickers would repent. We pray for Holy Spirit to guide us to likeminded partners in this vital area of ministry.
- We are praying for others to feel the call to service and ministry in the Middle East Region.
Bahrain
We praise God that The Salvation Army soldiers in Bahrain are united in their desire to be the light of God right where they are placed. We give thanks to God that we were able to receive some funding from the Newman feeding project, so that we can get desperately needed food to some of the most vulnerable. God has opened opportunities to reach and link with many who have been tricked or trafficked and are now in a desperate situation in this country. We thank the Holy Spirit for leading us to likeminded people and organizations with whom we can network and partner as we provide relief to those suffering.
Prayer requests:
- We pray that God will provide those that the corps support with safe solutions to their circumstances, such as safe and rewarding employment, appropriate living arrangements and care for their families back home.
- We pray for more God-guided opportunities to reach out to the most vulnerable.
- We pray that processes surrounding becoming a registered church and charity flow smoothly.
Kuwait
God has provided committed soldiers who continue to be an inspiration, strength, and light in this corps and country even as they transition to having no corps officer at present. We praise God for all the opportunities to minister that He places before us, in our workplaces, schools, homes and community. We are blessed that the children and young people continue to grow in their faith. We praise God for inspiring young people to step into the music team and participate in worship.
Prayer requests:
- Spiritual growth for the members of our corps and that we would seek to know Him more and more.
- Please pray for our C-Clinic program, a ministry where volunteer doctors and nurses, and others in administrative roles hold a free clinic at the National Evangelical Church Kuwait (NECK) compound each Friday. The 4 C’s are Care, Counsel, Consultation, and Connections. Please pray for ongoing health of all volunteers, for donations of basic resources and protection for all. The key things checked are blood pressure and blood sugar. These regularly pick up people that are seriously unwell and often don’t realize it. We pray that God will continue to draw these people in so that lifestyle changes and medical intervention can be made.
Oman
We thank God for raising up talented and committed corps leadership in Oman who faithfully serve in three locations. We continually praise God for them. The corps in Oman are fortunate to have faithful soldiers who love and serve God despite often living many miles from one another and worship centers. Thank you, Lord, for the bonds within the family of God.
Prayer requests:
- Pray for corps leadership in Oman to be strengthened and encouraged. We pray especially for more Tamil resources to become available to support the ministry of the corps.
- We seek God’s protection and intervention as the country of Oman goes through many transitions and unrest.
- Join us in praying for additional resources and leadership for the ministry in Oman.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
God has richly blessed UAE. We praise God for allowing Salvationists to come to this place and to benefit from the opportunities available to them. We are blessed to worship with people from many places around the world and get to glimpse heaven we experience when we worship together. We thank God for the blessing of technology which has allowed us to worship even when it is difficult to meet with each other.
Prayer requests:
- We pray for official approvals which would allow The Salvation Army more opportunities to worship and serve in UAE.
- Join us as we seek God’s guidance in pursuing new missional opportunities and areas of growth.
- We pray for Salvationists in UAE to have the time and opportunity to worship with one another. Often work times and worship times do not align.
- We pray for our many soldiers and friends who are transitioning to and from UAE in search of opportunities and employment. Lord, keep them safe on their travels and help them remain faithful.
USA Southern Territory
Prayer Requests
- Major Mee Sook Chang, Territorial Director of Officer Resources, Personnel
- Soundcast
- Scott Strobel, Pension & Retirement Plan Director, Finance
- Victoria Denning, Support Center Specialist, CRD Interchange, Community Relations & Development
- Angelica Perez, Territorial Accounting Operations Manager, Finance
- Captain Kelsey Bridges, Director of Curriculum, Evangeline Booth College
- Cadet Glen-Allen Andress
- Colonel Paula Johnson, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Texas Division
- Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander, NHQ
- Majors John & Cristina Murphy, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Georgia Division
- KROC Corps Community Centers
- Christopher has asked that God would help him
- An anonymous prayer request that all would fall on the altar and worship the Creator of the heavens and the earth
- An anonymous prayer request for a successful outcome for a daughter and son-in-law
- Anonymous prayer of gratitude for three children and siblings who are aging too fast.
- Anonymous prayer request for the Reynolds family who are all sick.
- Prayer request for Angela Pueschel to have a safe trip to Columbia to assist her mother who is 93
- Anonymous prayer request for two relatives with health concerns
- Prayer requested for the President-elect and Vice-President-elect that they would show wisdom and strength as in the Lord
- Steve Nolan’s sister-in-law
- Allison Hogue’s father, Kenny
- Major Valencia Lewis requests prayer for her mother, Ms. Edris Lewis, who is facing a serious medical condition, as well as prayer for the entire Lewis family
- Prayer requested for brother Clifford and cousin Harold who is undergoing heart surgery, that God would grant a speedy recovery
- Prayer requested for political candidates, peace in the world and lost souls as well as families everywhere
- Prayer for peace and unity in our country
Something to Consider
According to Church tradition, of the twelve original disciples only John died a natural death. He lived to be quite old, in his nineties, which was particularly remarkable in an age when most men had a life expectancy of 40. As he neared the end of his life he was still instructing the churches, encouraging the Christians and reminding them of the essential teachings of the gospel. In his first epistle, the theme of love sounds from beginning to end, including the famous line, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
John’s intimate knowledge of Jesus and his experience living the Christ life kept bringing him back to this point. God is love. Understanding God apart from His love was impossible. But incorporating that truth changes everything. If God is love then His actions are guided by it. His view of us is through love’s glasses. The intended ultimate destiny of each soul is grounded in this. God is love.
We rejoice with the anonymous songwriter who has penned,
Come, let us all unite to sing: God is love!
Let Heaven and earth their praises bring, God is love!
Let every soul from sin awake,
Each in his heart sweet music make,
And sing with us, for Jesus' sake: God is love!
The Salvation Army Song Book #8
Benediction
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love the way You love,
And do what You would do. Amen.
- Edwin Hatch
Let’s join in with our brothers and sisters and sing “How Marvelous, How Wonderful!”