One’s faith in the effectiveness of prayer is often challenged by events that seem so complex that we tend to think God is the only one who can intercede on our part. We are not talking so much about the students who suddenly face final exams, only to reembrace the idea that they have not prepared. But what about prayer when a nation is at risk? Could we be free today because one warrior humbled himself before God and asked for His divine intervention?
Our Bible gives us many examples, but one that comes to mind is the story of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 37. When the Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah prayed fervently to God for deliverance. He spread the threatening letter from the Assyrian king before the Lord and prayed, “Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are the only God.” (Isaiah 37:16-20)1NIV New International Version Translations. God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer by delivering Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat.
A better question might be if there is a contemporary story about war and prayer. There is, and it came from a relatively unknown person. Chief Chaplain James H. O’Neill was an American Catholic priest who served as a chaplain in the United States Army from 1926 to 1952, eventually rising to the rank of brigadier general. Born on January 14, 1892, in Chicago, Illinois, O’Neill was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 20, 1915. He served in various capacities within the Army, including assignments in the United States and the Philippines.
During World War II, O’Neill served as the Chief Chaplain of the Third United States Army under General George S. Patton. He is best known for composing the famous “Patton Prayer” at Patton’s request during the Battle of the Bulge. This prayer was intended to improve the weather conditions to aid the Army’s advance. The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. It occurred from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, in Belgium and Luxembourg’s densely forested Ardennes region. The Germans aimed to split the Allied forces, capture the vital Belgian port of Antwerp, and encircle and destroy four Allied armies, thereby forcing a negotiated peace on the Western Front.
The battle began with a surprise attack by the Germans, who took advantage of the poor weather conditions that grounded the Allies’ superior air forces. The initial German assault created a “bulge” in the Allied front lines, giving the battle its name. Despite the surprise and initial success, the German forces were eventually halted by the determined resistance of the Allied troops, including the famous defense of Bastogne by the 101st Airborne Division.
The Battle of the Bulge was one of the largest and bloodiest battles fought by the United States during World War II, with approximately 81,000 American casualties. The Germans suffered even greater losses, with around 100,000 deaths, which significantly weakened their ability to resist the advancing Allied forces. The battle ended with an Allied victory, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. O’Neill received several awards for his service, including the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Croix de Guerre from France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
The “Patton Prayer” was a prayer for good weather composed during World War II at the request of General George S. Patton. In December 1944, Patton’s Third Army was stalled due to continuous rain and muddy conditions. A devout Christian, Patton asked his Chief Chaplain, James H. O’Neill, for a prayer to improve the weather. O’Neill created the following prayer:
“Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.”
Patton printed and distributed 250,000 copies of this prayer to every man in the Third Army. This prayer was part of Patton’s efforts to boost morale and seek divine intervention during the challenging conditions of the Battle of the Bulge.
General George S. Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was an Olympic athlete, competing in the modern pentathlon in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. He fought in World War I as part of the United States Tank Corps and played a central role in developing the army’s armored warfare doctrine during the interwar period.
Patton was known for his strict discipline, toughness, and self-sacrifice, which elicited exceptional pride within his ranks. He led a series of successful European offensive operations during World War II. Patton died on December 21, 1945, in Heidelberg, Germany, from injuries sustained in a car accident.
The two stories in this study highlight the importance of seeking divine intervention and relying on God’s power for victory. They remind us that, as a nation, we should remember the power of faith and prayer in times of crisis. They teach us humility, seeking divine guidance, and relying on a higher power can lead to remarkable outcomes, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. By turning to faith and prayer, we can find strength, hope, and resilience to overcome adversity and achieve victory.
- Jesus’ Teachings on Prayer: Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). He emphasized the importance of sincerity and humility in prayer, advising them to pray privately rather than for public show (Matthew 6:5-6). Jesus also encouraged persistent prayer, as illustrated in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8).
- Jesus’ Prayers: Jesus often prayed, especially during significant moments in His ministry. He prayed before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12), before performing miracles (John 11:41-42), and during His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-44). His prayers demonstrate His reliance on God and His intimate relationship with the Father.
- The Early Church: The early Christians devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42). Prayer was central to their community life, and they prayed for guidance, boldness, and the needs of others (Acts 4:23-31, Acts 12:5).
- Paul’s Teachings: The Apostle Paul frequently wrote about prayer in his letters. He encouraged believers to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to pray for all people (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and to pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Paul also prayed for the spiritual growth and well-being of the churches he founded (Ephesians 1:15-23, Colossians 1:9-12).
These examples from the New Testament highlight the significance of prayer in a believer’s life. Prayer is communicating with God, seeking His guidance, expressing gratitude, and interceding for others.
Contemplations
- How does the power of prayer manifest in different situations according to the Bible?
- Ideas to explore: Can you think of various instances in the Bible where prayer led to significant outcomes? For example, examine the prayers of King Hezekiah, Jesus, and the early Christians. Compare the circumstances, the nature of the prayers, and the results. This will help understand the diverse ways prayer can influence events and lives.
- What key elements make a prayer effective according to biblical teachings?
- Ideas to explore: Do you know the components of effective prayers as described in the Bible? Look at Jesus’ teachings on prayer, such as the Lord’s Prayer and Paul’s prayers. Identify common themes such as sincerity, humility, persistence, and faith. Understanding these elements can provide insights into how to pray effectively.
- How can the principles of prayer in the Bible be applied to modern-day challenges?
- Ideas to explore: Reflect on contemporary issues and consider how the principles of prayer can be applied. For instance, think about personal struggles, societal problems, or global crises. Explore how seeking divine guidance and relying on a higher power, as demonstrated in biblical examples, can offer strength, hope, and solutions in today’s world.
- 1NIV New International Version Translations