Patton's Prayer

Yesterday I received a new Bible from my sister. It is called The Arman's Bible. I was in the Air Force from 1963 t 67. As I looked through it I found prayers by several military leaders.

One that stood out was written for General George Patton. On Dec. 8,1944 Gen. Patton called the Chaplain of the 3rd army James O'Neill and ask him for a prayer for good weather. The Chaplain composed a prayer and a Christmas greeting for the 3rd Army. When he delivered the prayer to Patton, the General ask him " How much praying is being done in the 3rd Army." He went on to say that prayer was an indispensable part of every soldier life.

The General went on to say that God had been good to the 3rd Army. They had never lost a battle, never retreated. He felt prayer was one of the reasons. He told the Chaplain that God was everywhere and the men need to pray everywhere. They did not need a building, or other worship center to pray. He said they should pray while driving, fighting, all the time. From this training letter #5 was sent out to all officers in the 3rd army down to the regimental level. This was done on Dec 14, 1944.

On Dec. 16, 1944 Germany launched an offensive called by the Americans The Battle of The Bulge. Poor weather caused problems for the Americans facing the attack. Gen. Patton's 3rd army was far to the South but turned North and prayed for good weather. On Dec 20 the sky opened and good weather appeared as the 3rd army approached. This allowed the air power to strike and Patton's tanks to fight. In Jan 1945 Gen. Patton told Chaplain O'Neill "prayer works, I knew it would."

Today as our military fights again they need our prayers. They need the protection from our Almighty God. Just as in 1944, prayer works, I know it does.

Part of this blog comes from The Airman's Bible,page 1123 1124, Holman Christian Standard Bible, copy write 2004.

To read his prayer click here