Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Prayer Focus -
Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory
Bayern Region in Germany
Worship the King! It is our privilege and joy to be in the service of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. During this time as we move closer to Christmas, we are made aware that our King did not arrive in a palace nor did was His birth heralded by proclamations across earthly empires. But His presence made the manger a throne just as the presence of Christ transforms our lowly hearts into a holy place. We worship Him because He only is worthy of our praise and adoration.
Prayer
Righteous Father, we thank You for this time of year when we can especially focus on the mission that was Your eternal focus long before the first atom was formed that made the earth. We praise You that before the galaxies formed that we were on Your heart and that Your dear Son was destined to take on flesh and dwell among us. We thank You that He tasted the sweetness and the bitterness of our lives and showed us how we ought to live. We praise You that in His coming, He did not end His time here until He had accomplished all that needed done for our salvation so that on that day when I saw my sin and saw my need for a Savior, You forgave me, cleansed me and made me a new creation in You. I cannot praise You enough for what Jesus’ coming to earth means to me in every moment of my life. Please accept my praise. In the name of Your incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
We have a very nice recording brought to us by the German Staff Band. Beautifully done.
Background of the
Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory
The countries comprising the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory have endured a great deal of turbulence in the last one hundred years.
Germany was the birthplace of two world wars and suffered tremendously for it, enduring 40 years of partition when the country was separated between the democratic West Germany and communist East Germany. The two Germanys were on far different paths for development with East Germany lagging far behind, little changed since the war ended. Even after reunification, the eastern part of the country continues to be more depressed and less developed than the west.
The birthplace of the Protestant Reformation, Germany spiritually is far different now. As with Europe in general, Christianity is increasingly seen as irrelevant making evangelism difficult. A self-centered materialism seems to be the new faith of the coming generations.
Like eastern Germany, Lithuania was under Soviet Russia following the war. Largely Catholic, evangelicals are seen as a sect and as a result, are oppressed. Because of long term economic challenges, the more gifted younger generation is leaving whenever given the chance.
Poland suffered the most during the war, losing one fourth of its population as casualties. Despite this, it remains one of the most religious countries in Europe, strongly influenced by the Catholic Church that was the bulwark against communism when Poland was reduced to a buffer state by the former Soviet Union. Because of the Catholic Church’s key role, it has been difficult for evangelical work to establish a footing but there have been some encouraging trends lately.
The Salvation Army began its work in Stuttgart, Germany in 1886 because of the sale of the War Cry by Staff-Captain Fritz Schaff from neighboring Switzerland. Registered officially in 1897, the Army enjoyed rapid growth. It was closed down during Hitler’s time but reestablished itself quickly after the war, although having suffered tremendous losses in people, buildings and properties as a result of the extensive bombing and other war damage. Work spread to Lithuania in 1998 and then through “Project Warsaw” into Poland in 2005. The territory was officially designated the Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory in 2008.
Facts, Stats & Leadership of the
Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory
- Total population in which to fish and disciple: 125,950,553
- 52 Active Officers, 2 cadets
- 55 Retired Officers
- 2 Auxiliary Captains, 2 Envoys
- 650 Employees
- 34 Corps
- 4 Outposts
- 660 Senior Soldiers, 379 Adherents
- 66 Junior Soldiers
Leadership
Colonel Dean Pallant - Territorial Commander
Colonel Eirwen Pallant - Territorial President of Women's Ministries
Lt. Colonel Hartmut Leisinger – Chief Secretary
Prayers Requests for the
Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory
Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving
- We give thanks to God for the recent officers and leaders councils and the Territorial Congress led by General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham. We thank God that the Holy Spirit’s presence was felt, people made new commitments and people were encouraged and uplifted by this time of fellowship and worship.
- We give thanks for the commissioning of two new lieutenants and the start of training for two new cadets. Please pray for the new officers, cadets and their families.
- We give thanks for the commitment and dedication of soldiers, officers, employees and volunteers in Germany, Lithuania and Poland who show the love of Jesus to others through their actions.
Prayer Requests
- For the encouragement of seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus in all three countries of the territory.
- For strength and grace for our officers, many of whom bear heavy workloads and juggle many responsibilities.
- For more people to offer for officership and local officership.
- For resources to care for the many Ukrainian refugees who still need assistance.
- Our personnel are often isolated as they serve significant distances from each other. Please pray for wisdom as we strengthen systems of support for corps, centres and community-based work.
Prayer Requests –
USA Southern Territory
- The family of Sandra Ray, sister of Major Sarah Balantine, who was recently Promoted to Glory
- The family of Fernando Flores, Sr., father of Captain Beradette Correira, who was recently Promoted to Glory
- The family of Roy Frizzell, father of Major Ethan Frizzell, who was recently Promoted to Glory
- Major Tammy Vick, Command Secretary for Production and Property, ARC Command
- Territorial Commander’s Office
- Yvonne Gikonyo, Support Center Specialist, THQ CRD Interchange
- Chris Hofer, Audio Producer, Communications Department
- Leon Ferraez III, Disaster Training Program Coordinator/Curriculum, Emergency Disaster Department
- Captain Nathan Bridges, Director of Curriculum, Evangeline Booth College
- Cadet Frantz Moise
- Captain Dominique Darby, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Georgia Division
- Lt Colonel Lesa Davis, Editor-in-Chief and National Literary Secretary, NHQ
- Majors Algerome & Teresa Newsome, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Kentucky/Tennessee Division
- Kettles
- Robert C., who works at the Salvation Army donation trailer at THQ, has asked prayer for him to find a place to live. He is currently staying at the Salvation Army shelter at Marietta Street in Atlanta.
Something to Consider
Prince of Peace
Captain Wayne Meads
“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6
The wear and tear of our daily lives makes us crave for comfort, for quietness the world cannot offer. Today’s Scripture uplifts from the earthly struggles to the divine promise completed in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah predicted a Child who would bring hope and eternal rule – a Child who would bear the world’s burdens and bring unending peace. In our struggle through life’s difficulties, let us understand that the government on His shoulders is a significant guarantee that He is in full control.
This peace remains even amid the chaos. It is the peace Jesus spoke of when He said, “My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). In adversity, His counsel is unfailing, His power unbreakable, and His government is eternally good because He is our Mighty God.
The titles for Jesus in this passage are not simply names. They are qualities reflecting His relational closeness to us. He is our Mighty Counselor, illuminating the darkness that shadows our senses. He is our strong God, giving power when all our power is gone. Being our Everlasting Father, He loves us with a love that never passes and gives peace to our troubled hearts.
A Child is born for us – a Son is given – in the small town of Bethlehem, wrapping divinity in humanity so that we could wrap our weary hearts in His peace.
- From Embracing Shiloh
Prayer
Father Eternal, I seek for peace in the activities of my days where peace is not to be found. Today I look at You again, to Your promise of You Son, Jesus, whose arrival Isaiah prophesied about with such longing and grandeur. Thank You for sending the Prince of Peace into this broken world and into my broken heart. Amen.
We close with a Christmas carol born in Germany, that speaks of peace, “Silent Night.”