Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Dec 25, 2024 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus - Italy & Greece Territory

Roman Forum in Rome

Yesterday was Christmas. For most of us, things were noisy and maybe hectic. Today may seem anticlimactic. Maybe it was like that for Mary and Joseph when the angels were silent, and the shepherds went back to their fields. It was just them with the Baby Jesus. And maybe it is time for you to find a quiet place for you to be alone. Just you and Jesus, to look in His face and tell Him how much you adore Him and to thank Him for coming for you.

Prayer

Dear Father, Thank You again for the great miracle of the Incarnation when Your precious Son, Jesus, wrapped Himself in human flesh and became one of us to be our Savior. The whole thought of this staggers the mind. I get offended when someone butts in line or cuts me off in traffic, but Jesus suffered every indignity, every insult, became completely vulnerable to be here and to open the way for me to find You. This is too wonderful for me to think about for very long because I can’t comprehend it. I hope in this moment You will accept this pitiful little expression of my gratitude. Thank You, dear Lord, for Jesus coming to be my Savior. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for eternal life. Thank You for everything that You are. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Background of the

Italy and Greece Territory

The roots of Western civilization are in these two countries. To Greece we owe our systems of thought and philosophy, art, mathematics and science. To Italy through the Roman Empire, we are indebted for systems of law and governance, engineering and the means of incorporating multiple cultures into one fabric. While there were weaknesses and strengths in what each empire contributed, their marks on Western civilizations are both undeniable and profound.

Both countries were important in the development of Christianity. It was through the Roman Empire’s system of road networks and shipping lanes that the gospel message spread throughout the known world and beyond. The common Greek language allowed the means for the gospel message to bridge many people groups rapidly both in spoken and written form. Later, the two main branches of the early Church were the Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox that for the first 1500 years of Christianity largely articulated the Christian Faith.

It should also be remembered that both Greece and Italy checked the Muslim onslaught. And Greece, despite 400 years of occupation by the Turkish Ottoman Empire, stood true to its Christian roots. Historically, we of the Christian Faith owe a great deal to both Italy and Greece.

The Salvation Army opened its work in Italy in February 1887 under the leadership of Major and Mrs. James Vint and Lt. Fanny Hack but soon had to close down. A second unofficial attempt was made in 1890 by Fritz Malan in his native village of Waldensian Valleys and then officially opened in 1893, but it wasn’t officially recognized by the government until 1965 as a philanthropic organization. It had to wait until 2009 to be recognized as a religious body. In 2007, the Army began operations in Greece in Thessoaloniki under the leadership of Captains Polis Pantedlidis and Maria Konti-Galinou. A second corps was opened in Athens in 2011. Work has been difficult in both countries where Protestant work in general has been very, very small and viewed with suspicion.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

Italy and Greece Territory

Statistics

• Total population with which to fish and disciple: 69,390,684
• 34 officers, 2 envoys and 55 employees
• 15 retired officers
• 16 corps; 2 outposts
• 282 senior soldiers
• 117 adherents
• 27 junior soldiers

Leadership

Lt. Colonel Andrew Morgan - Territorial Commander

Lt. Colonel Darlene Morgan - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Major Cinzia Walzer - Chief Secretary

Prayer Requests of the

Italy and Greece Territory

Praise:

• We thank God for a successful inauguration of the Territorial Governance Board on October 3. Please pray now for the work of implementing governance thoroughly and effectively.

• We thank God for the keen interest and thoughtful input of officers and leaders as territorial strategy is determined. Please pray for Spirit-led direction.

Please pray for:

• The continued fostering of relationships that have developed through various special Christmas ministries.

• God’s continued movement in the hearts of individuals who are considering his will for their lives, especially in relation to the various pathways to service within The Salvation Army.

• The Greek Region, as personnel continue to adjust to new ministry responsibilities and explore growth opportunities.

• God's guidance for every ministry and activity planned for the coming year, and for lasting spiritual fruit from them.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• Lt. Colonel Stephen Ellis, Secretary for Business Administration
• Trade Department
• Rayna Springer, Food Services Supervisor, Conference Services
• Caylin Smith, Accounting Clerk, Finance
• Antonio Forte, Bank Account Administrator, Finance
• Major Patrick Richmond, Director of Personnel, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Lorna Moise
• Major Jay Spaulding, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, North & South Carolina Division
• Lt. Colonel Brian Davis, Assistant National Chief Secretary, NHQ
• Majors Zachary & Shelley Bell, officers, cadets, and employees of the Evangeline Booth College
• Community Care ministry

Something to Consider

“She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them” (Luke 2:7).

            Through quiet talk by moonlight, the world’s Savior became part of human history. Luke 2:7 freezes a moment of divine humility that would change the world forever. The King of kings, Son of God, was not laid in the luxury of a palace but among the humility of a stable, wrapped in some rough garment only. The picture calls us to stop and think about the deep meaning of God’s love and His way to create.

            The birth circumstances of Jesus are a powerful remembrance that the Kingdom of God does not come in pomp and worldly glitter but unveils itself in humility and lowliness. In this peaceful picture, the majesty of heaven is bound with the meekness of earth – a picture that says a lot about God’s nature and the redemption plan.

            As God’s beloved, we are called to embrace humility and to understand that in our own weakness, His power reigns. From the manger, we learn that our worth is not determined by our status or possessions but by the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who preferred our limitations to take us into His immeasurable love.

            The manger story is a lesson in humility – to put away our pride and accept the gift of God’s immeasurable grace. It urges us to live beyond grand expectations and humbly serve the world as Christ Himself did.

From Embracing Shiloh

by Captain Wayne Meads

Prayer

Gracious Father, Lingering at the base of the manger, I am reminded of the humble character of Your love, the deep tenderness with which You came among us. Jesus became a baby in hay to illustrate the extent to which You would bend to touch our lives. Teach me to accept the humility that You accepted, to treasure the lowly places as sites of Your greatest glory. Allow Your manger’s spirit to reside within me so that I can live a life of reflecting Your love. Amen.