Judges 6:12 “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”
In December 1944, Allied success on the Western Front was far from assured. Though the Germans had been pushed back, they enjoyed a reduced front and shorter supply lines. Hitler saw an opportunity for a counterattack, though it necessitated bad weather to reduce the Allied airpower advantages.
As the Germans were planning their counterattack, General Patton’s advance was hindered by bad weather. On December 8th, 1944, Patton called Chaplain James O’Neill and tasked him with writing a prayer for good weather. General Patton approved of the Chaplain’s prayer and ordered 250,000 copies of the following to be distributed to every man:
“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.”
Figuratively, 21st century America does not have fair weather for the cause of Christ and the maintenance of our Christian heritage. We have had to contend with immoderate rains and hostile conditions. If we are to crush oppression and wickedness, establish God’s justice, and advance from victory to victory then we must follow the pattern of the Third Army – humbly beseech God to grant us favor.
PLEASE PRAY FOR FAIR WEATHER FOR CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA. It is only God’s power that can change the prevailing forecast.
SET YOUR ALARM: If you’re alarmed (that the press mocks the power of prayer while Christians neglect its power), set your alarm (to pray for our nation)!
