Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Prayer Focus - The Netherlands, Czech Republic & Slovakia Territory
Landscape with tulips in Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
This I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:21-26
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray this morning for the one who is losing hope. I remember times when I have felt hopeless, when things seemed stacked against me, when I couldn’t figure out the answers. I knew You were there, and I knew that You would see me through but I didn’t know when and I didn’t know how. Please, dear God, remind that one who is losing hope that You are as close as the breath in their lungs. Please send them a song, a note, a word of encouragement. If I can be a messenger, even if I don’t know it, please let me be Your messenger of hope. Make me aware, because so often I am intent on getting to this place or doing this thing that I miss the opportunity right there in front of me. Let me hear with Your ears and see with Your eyes for that one who may need a warm touch and a gentle voice. I give myself to You for service. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Salvation Army musical forces in the Netherlands have been top notch from the beginning. This is a performance by Amsterdam Staff Band of the march “Able.”
Background of the Netherlands,
Czech Republic & Slovakia Territory
As the name of the territory says, there are three distinct countries that comprise it. They are as follows, each with its own opportunities and challenges.
The Netherlands: Historically, the Netherlands was one of the key nations where the Protestant Reformation took root and where Christianity enjoyed a long and fruitful history for centuries. Unfortunately, in the latter half of the twentieth century a sharp U turn was made. With some of the most liberal laws in the world, for example, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia. Less than 20% of Dutch Christians attend church with any regularity, with 65% of Dutch citizens claiming no church affiliation at all. However, church declines lately has been slowing and in some cases reversing. Immigrant churches have shown diversity and vitality and some of this has spilled over into the traditional churches. A growing unity among evangelical denominations has also helped.
One of the conspicuous social problems has resulted from a liberal immigration policy that allowed large numbers of Muslims to come in. The thought was that they would integrate with the rest of the population but when that did not occur friction began to grow that has resulted in more restrictive immigration policies and resentment from the majority population. Some Muslims have turned to Christ, but these numbers are small.
Czech Republic: The Czech Republic suffered from years under a communist government that openly fought against Christianity. However, there is now growing expressions of Christianity even while more traditional ones are struggling. It is a country very much in flux from a religious standpoint but with promise for the future. The economy is steadily growing and with that, people can turn their attention to other aspects of life. Not surprisingly, with the tensions from the conflict in Ukraine, there is some uneasiness as they cast their eyes eastward.
Slovakia: This country enjoys a very strong Christian heritage among the Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed traditions. Presently, there are renewal movements within those expressions that are calling people back to a more vital faith. Evangelical denominations remain few and small but there is some growth here as well. One of the threats to both the established and the newer evangelical churches is aggressive growth from the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
A special population where opportunity is presenting itself for the gospel and other ministry is the Romani, otherwise known as the Gypsies. Often misunderstood and despised, the Romani have suffered a great deal of discrimination, but they are by far the most responsive ethnic group in Europe to the gospel.
The Salvation Army: Captain and Mrs. Joseph Tyler, and Lieutenant Gerrit J. Govaars, a gifted Dutch teacher, commenced Salvation Army work in the Gerard Doustraat, Amsterdam, on May 8,1887. Operations soon spread throughout the country and reached Indonesia (then The Netherlands East Indies) in 1894. Further advances were made in 1926 in Suriname and in 1927 in Curaçao.
Salvation Army in Czechoslovakia commenced in 1919, the pioneer being Colonel Karl Larsson. Evangelistic and social activities were maintained until they were suppressed in June 1950 by the communist government. Under the leadership of Commissioner Reinder J. Schurink, The Netherlands Territory was responsible for the reopening of the work in Czechoslovakia in 1990 and Lt. Colonels Wim and Netty van der Vliet, The Netherlands and Czech Territory was responsible for the opening of the work in Slovakia in 2015 and Majors Teunis and Ria Scholtens were appointed as officers-in-charge.
On February 2002 the territory was renamed The Netherlands and Czech Republic Territory, and on September 1, 2015 it was renamed The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Territory.
Facts, Stats and Leadership of the
Netherlands, Czech Republic & Slovakia Territory
Statistics
- Total population with which to fish and disciple: 34,393,682
- 94 officers, 9 auxiliary captains, 3 envoys, 10 cadets, and 8,237 employees
- 177 retired officers
- 143 corps; 86 outposts
- 2,971 senior soldiers
- 1,136 adherents
- 304 junior soldiers
Leadership
Commissioner Bente Gundersen - Territorial Commander
Colonel Donna Evans - Chief Secretary
Prayer Requests of the Netherlands,
Czech Republic & Slovakia Territory
- Thank God and praise Him for sending us new workers to bring in the harvest. Pray that we might be receiving more new Christian workers.
- We give thanks for our active and retired officers, Salvationists, employees, volunteers who faithfully serve God through The Salvation Army
- We thank God for the many new and creative faith communities that have started. Pray that we continue to find new ways of connecting with people to create new community-based ministries.
- We praise God for the development of our scouting groups and adventure clubs. Pray for the planned commencement of Scouting Groups in the Czech Republic.
- The children's and youth work in corps and in our community centers. That we make room for a new generation to rise up and serve God in new and creative ways.
- The Roma community as we continue to develop this ministry. (There are approximately 700 settlements in Slovakia).
- Victims of human trafficking and discernment and wisdom for officers, employees and volunteers who are involved in this ministry and the expansion of this ministry.
- The European Youth Event (EYE) which will be held in The Netherlands this year. May it be a life changing experience for young people who come together from throughout Europe.
- For commissioning be held in the Czech Republic which takes place in June 2025. Commissioning weekend will also celebrate 35 years since The Salvation Army in the Czech Republic was able to recommence the work.
USA Southern Territory
Prayer Requests
- The family of Major Oscar Lopez, who was recently Promoted to Glory
- The family of Major Elizabeth Grider, who was recently Promoted to Glory
- Major Roland Cox, Assistant Territorial Finance Secretary, Finance
- Finance Department
- Lindsay Wilson, Legal Specialist, Legal Department
- Pat Cravens, Service Operations Clerk, Trade Department
- Kelly Green, Coordinator of Officer Health Services, Officers’ Health Services Department
- Lt. Cristina Tilley, Director of Family Life Center, Evangeline Booth College
- Cadet Patrick Lewandowski
- Captain Dominique Darby, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Georgia Division
- Captain Grace Kim, Korea Territory
- Dr. Bill Ury, National Holiness Ambassador, NHQ
- Majors Bobby & Natalie Jackson, officers, beneficiaries, and volunteers of the Adult Rehabilitation Centers
- Bible Studies
- Latrice is asking that God bless her and hold her hand today
Something to Consider
Lord, there’s someone lurking within me:
Shrouded and gloomy she goes on her way
With downcast eyes,
Dragging steps,
And doleful mien.
She’s the shadow of a better me.
She’s something good gone sour,
Self-replete and self-stifled.
To hear her talk is a revelation;
No one ever had it so bad.
Her setbacks are unrivalled,
Her problems mountain high.
Turned in upon herself she mopes and broods,
Sobs and sighs;
Poor me…poor me…
Poor miserable me!
Out upon you, traitor, I cry;
I’ll have none of your mournful dirges…
Away with you from my house of life!
Master, give me courage to throw her out:
Let me get rid of her once and for all,
And bar the door against her.
Help me to bear bravely my own share of life’s burdens;
Help me to find others who also suffer
And to try to bring them comfort.
Let me take another’s hand in mine and say:
Courage! The storm will pass;
Look up, day will soon dawn.
Lord, save me from self-pity.
- Commissioner Flora Larsson
From Just a Moment, Lord
Benediction
May the strength the Lord gives you this day make the burden He gives you light and the yoke upon you joyful. Amen.
The classic hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” continues to bless through the generations. Let the lyrics and tune wash over you once again.