To read the second part, click HERE
Derek Prince, in his book 'Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting,' recounts an incident where divine intervention altered the course of history through the prayers of his saints. During World War II, Prince, a recent convert, was part of the British troops in North Africa. The troops were suffering from low morale, and the officers, he described as 'selfish, irresponsible, and undisciplined.' His regiment had to make the longest withdrawal in the history of the British army, from El Agheila (Tripoli) to El Alamein, 50 km from Cairo, a distance of 700 miles.
This was their last chance to prevent the Axis powers from invading Egypt, blocking the Suez Canal, and entering Palestine, which would prove very dangerous for the Jewish community given the treatment they were receiving elsewhere at the hands of Hitler. Upon withdrawal God had placed a burden on his heart to pray. He prayed continually every day and fasted every week. He prayed, “Lord, give us leaders such that it will be to your glory to give us victory through them.”
Some time later, the British government recalled the commander of their troops and sent a replacement general who was killed when his plane was shot down. Winston Churchill immediately decided to send a little-known officer, B.L. Montgomery, to replace him. Montgomery, the son of an Anglican bishop, set to work, and in no time the troops were ready for action and regained their confidence. He subsequently led them to a historic victory at the Battle of El Alamein, which, according to the author, marked a turning point in the war in North Africa.
Prince writes this and I quote "Two or three days after the battle, I found myself in the desert a few miles behind the advancing Allied forces. I had beside me on the tailgate of the military vehicle a small radio set transmitting a reporter's description of the scene he had witnessed at Montgomery's siege on the eve of the battle. It related how Montgomery publicly called his officers and men to prayer, saying, 'Let us ask the Lord, mighty in battle, to give us victory.' As these words came to me through this portable radio set, He spoke clearly in my mind, 'This is the answer to your prayer,'" end quote.
God continues to answer the same prayers today when He hears them; prayers that move nations and change the course of history. He is looking for men and women who want to do more than observe and mope about, say, 'the loss of values in society,' 'the drift toward drugs and immorality among young people,' 'the unthinkable that would have become the norm today.' No, He is looking for people who, like Eli, will pray what is on His heart and call forth His will on earth.
In our generation as in others, God is looking for people who will accept the burden of prayer for a society that is losing its bearings, people who will stand up and say, "This is not going to happen in my generation"; and "Lord, show me what is in Your heart and what I should pray and decree so that You can bring it to fulfillment, accomplish Your purposes, and glorify Your name.
Read Part 4 HERE
