In the invasion of Italy, the danger spot was Salerno, where British troops landed in September, 1943. The Germans made a stubborn resistance and almost won the battle. “The day of the landing at Salerno and its sequel will always stand out in my memory,” said an Intercessor. He goes on:
Rees Howells
The Director’s voice trembled and was scarcely audible. “The Lord has burdened me about Salerno. Our men are in great difficulties, and the Lord has
Salerno landing
told me that unless we can pray through, they are in danger of losing their hold.” The awe of God settled on us, and before long we were on our knees, crying to God for Him to intervene. Then the Spirit took hold of us and suddenly broke through our prayers, and we found ourselves praising and rejoicing. We rose from our knees and began to sing praises, believing that God had wrought some miraculous intervention in Italy. The victory was so outstanding that I looked at the clock. It was on the stroke of 11 p.m.
On the midnight news, the announcer spoke gravely that unless a miracle happened, our troops would lose the beachhead before morning. Next morning, the news was more hopeful, but we eagerly awaited newspaper reports. Under the headline, The Miracle of Salerno, a front-line reporter had posted, “The enemy artillery was advancing rapidly with ceaseless firing. The noise was terrible, and it was obvious that unless a miracle happened, our troops could never hold the advance long enough to establish the beachhead. Suddenly, for no accountable reason, the firing ceased, and the Nazi artillery stopped its advance. A deathly stillness settled on the scene. We waited in breathless anticipation, but nothing happened. I looked at my watch—it was eleven o’clock.”
June 6, 1944, D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history, called forth another great prayer effort, with a million troops, 4,000 ships and 11,000 planes at risk. The Intercessors prayed, “O Lord, protect and keep our men! Don’t allow us to pray any differently from what we would if we were on the front line. We do believe the end of this will be victory.”
That was the only night German U-boats did not patrol the channel. The tide turned dramatically, and within a year, the European war was over.
VE Day, England
CAN ANYONE DOUBT THE POWER OF PRAYER?
How much effort do you put into prayer?
Please join that small band of faithful Intercessors.
Thank you Ellie for the powerful TRUE stories. We won’t hear these on the 6:00 news.
I have to tell you about what happened last Sunday. A small group of 20 or so volunteers gathered for a short meeting after church to agree to pray during coming church services that God’s voice will be heard and His work be done among the people. At the end of the meeting, an elderly man spoke:
“My children, I have heard your words. I always hear you. Now I want you to commit to Me… When you come together to pray, let there be silence for a little while so that you can hear my heart and know how to pray…”
Every one of us knew that God had shown up at our meeting. And knowing that God hears my words has been so reassuring! I knew intellectually, but now I know in my heart.
Has anyone heard of the prayer movement sweeping Indiana leading to many conversions? Check out this article: http://www.elkharttruth.com/living/faith/2015/02/05/Revive-Indiana-brings-northern-Indiana-churches-together-for-1.html and then visit this site to see that it has continued past the original 52 days:
http://reviveindiana.s3.amazonaws.com/bloomington_indiana_index.html I recently heard from someone in far southern Indiana that it is now sweeping their community. May God bring revival to all of the USA… and beyond.
Great series on World War II, Ellie, which shows where the real War Room is! Growing up in the post-World War II years, I was mostly removed from the pain and suffering that both World Wars caused. It was later in life that I became aware and interested in the stories of people who endured and triumphed in those dark days. I am always amazed by the tenacity, strength, and doggedness displayed by those who stood against evil and injustice – and disheartened and disappointed by those who were swept along “the wide road” by what was culturally acceptable. Soul-searching questions always emerge unspoken: How would I have responded to such challenges? And, in the present, am I perceiving similar challenges in my own culture and choosing to walk “the narrow road” of God’s Kingdom?
What do we say to the Jews about the Holocaust? How do we explain prayer to them?