Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Mar 5, 2025 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus - USA Eastern Territory

New Hampshire village in autumn

This is a day of wonders. Already you have enjoyed the tender mercies of God from the moment of your waking to the point where you are reading this. Just because it happens daily does not make it less wonderful than it is. Heaven’s music is always playing if our ears are attuned to hear it.

Prayer

Gracious God, With the changing weather we thank You for our homes where we can be sheltered with those we love. We pray that our home would not just be a place that keeps those inside safe from the weather, but it would be a sanctuary from the dangers outside so that when those who live in my home think of safety, they think of our home first. If there is strife in our home, O Lord, come be our peace. If our home is divided between those who honor You and those who don’t, Lord, come be the conqueror of all hearts so that it is Your domain from floor to ceiling. We want our home to be Yours. If we have allowed things to creep in that don’t belong, dear God, rid our home of anything that should not be there. We can fool people, but we can’t fool You. How can we be ready for a heavenly home if our earthly home bears no resemblance to what You want? Again, dear God, we ask that You make our home Yours. Keep us safe in it in every way. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Background of the

USA Eastern Territory

            With the exception of the states of Virginia and Maryland, the history of the United States largely began in what is now the USA Eastern Territory. It is here that the first great cities began to rise, manufacturing centers formed, transportation modes were laid and through which the first great waves of immigrants flowed in. The early religious influences of the Puritans, the Quakers and religious revivals as well as other factors, gave rise to a rugged individualism that soon sowed the seeds of what would lead to the American Revolution and later, the anti-slavery movement. It was largely in this section of the country that the fabled “American dream” was born that spoke of every person having a chance at success regardless of his birth or background. It was also here that the thirst to grow America beyond its borders pushed it further west until the United States spanned the breadth of the North American continent.

            The progress of this section of the country was fueled by industries such as steel, aided by railroads and the first oil boom. New York City became the defining picture of big business, culture and entertainment not only for the United States but for the world.

            The Salvation Army: It is no surprise, then, when The Salvation Army decided it was time to leave the shores of Great Britain, its first target would be the United States, specifically what is now the area of the USA Eastern Territory. Begun unofficially in 1878 by Eliza Shirley in Philadelphia (with an even earlier fledgling effort started in Cleveland a few years before), George Scott Railton led the official opening in 1880 when he and seven “Hallelujah lassies” descended upon New York City at Battery Park. The Army quickly spread throughout the northeast but in doing so faced considerable opposition, much like it had faced in Britain and in Europe.

            Two disasters befell the Army, both centered and most affecting the Army in this part of the USA. First, Thomas Moore led a split of The Salvation Army in 1884 which nearly destroyed The Salvation Army in the United States. Quick action by International Headquarters eventually turned things around and the Army emerged stronger than ever. But not too long after that, the resignation of the Founder’s second oldest son and his wife, Ballington and Maud Booth, then the Army’s national leaders, who then formed a rival almost identical organization called the Volunteers of America, caused considerable damage. Again, the Army recovered but both of these blows slowed the Army’s progress.

            Eventually, the Army won the hearts of the American people by its unwavering evangelism, loving service to all people and not the least, its stellar service during the First World War.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of

USA Eastern Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 74,046,581
• 865 officers, 5 auxiliary captains, 31 envoys, 22 cadets, 7,912 employees
• 692 retired officers
• 335 corps
• 3 outposts
• 24,255 senior soldiers
• 9,466 adherents
• 8,656 junior soldiers

Leadership

Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz - Territorial Commander

Commissioner Susan Bukiewicz - Territorial President of Women's Ministries and Territorial Leader for Officer Development

Colonel Ivan Rock - Chief Secretary

Colonel Christine Rock - Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries

Prayer Requests for the

USA Eastern Territory

• Pray for spiritual renewal at the corps and Adult Rehabilitation Center level. A true move of His Holy Spirit to enliven our missional work.
• Pray for God Himself to display favor toward us and allow the overflowing blessings of Heaven itself (financial and beyond) to fall upon us.
• Pray for our frontline officers; that they will sense their worth to the Kingdom and to the Army and that they will feel emboldened and encouraged in their work.
• Pray for godly discernment for our Territorial Leaders as they seek Him to navigate through these unparalleled and complicated times. Give them the mind of Christ.
• Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send workers into His vineyard. In this regard a special prayer that the Spirit will lead men and women into officership as a high and noble calling. 
• Pray for the tens of thousands that come through our doors seeking help and assistance. May supernatural bridges of ministry be built into these ministries by the power of God.
• Pray for unity in our nation. May our corps and centers be places of peace, reconciliation and grace.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• Major Lynda Thornhill, Territorial Mission, Evangelism & Cultural Ministries Secretary, Mission & Cultural Ministries
• Kroc Centers Administration
• LaQuonda Townsend, Administrative Assistant, Property
• Mary Soriano, Territorial Property & Real Estate Accountant, Property
• Peggy Fletcher, Accounting Clerk, Finance
• Major Patrick Richmond, Director of Personnel, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Donna Shea
• Colonel Paula Johnson, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Texas Division
• Captain Min-kee Kim, Korea Territory
• Colonel James Betts, National Chief Secretary, NHQ
• Lt. Colonels Kent & Melody Davis, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Florida Division
• Youth Councils
• Anonymous prayer request for Sherwyn and his wife
• Anonymous prayer request for a son to be delivered from drinking; for myself to trust and believe and for my situation to improve
• Anonymous prayer request for Lyn to find work

Something to Consider

If Only…

Stephen Goodell

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

There are many times in my life when I have focused too much on my past. I have found myself thinking about experiences and wondering how they could’ve been different had I said or done things differently. I refer to this as getting caught up in the “if onlys…” These “if onlys” are common with all of us and take many forms. Some can be:

• “If only I had prayed more for that person.”
• “If only I had been there more for them.”
• “If only I had taken that job.”
• “If only I hadn’t married that person.”
• “If only I hadn’t taken that first drink or drug.”
• “If only I had come to Christ earlier in my life.”
• “If only…”

With an “if only”, we can constantly play out different scenarios in our minds and revisit how it could’ve been done differently, and how our lives might have been better. These scenarios can drain us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The “if onlys” are endless, and as we get caught up in these thoughts, we can forget about the joy and blessings the Lord has for us now. We lose our sense of self because of these “if only” thoughts and can’t focus on being the best versions of ourselves. What’s worse is that we may miss out on the plans God has in store for us, and the excitement and fulfillment of serving Him will be lost because we are too focused on our past.

God forgives our sins through the sacrificial blood of His son, Jesus Christ. He says in Isaiah, “Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them. I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming?” (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIRV).

When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive power, courage, and confidence. And through the love of Christ, we can forgive others and ourselves of past hurts. Instead of dwelling on your life’s “if onlys”, concentrate on the power of Christ through His Holy Spirit and boldly proclaim that through God, “Now, I can!”

• “Now, I can pursue that fulfilling career.”
• “Now, I can find a godly marriage.”
• “Now, I can speak in front of large groups.”
• “Now, I can love others as He wants me to.”
• “Now, I can beat these addictions.”
• “Now, I can move forward in my life with Jesus.”
• “Now, I can share the gospel without fear.”
• “Now, I can…”

Focus on your identity as a child of God, place your trust in Jesus Christ, and see the amazing things that He can do for you through His power and love. Now, you can because He is always with you.

Prayer

Father God, we praise you for the unconditional love you’ve shown us through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Forgive us for living in our past and show us a future of hope and fulfillment with you. Reveal your will and plans for our lives and let us move forward in them with great anticipation and excitement. Jesus, it’s in your holy and matchless name we pray this. Amen.

- Used by permission.