Psalm 46:9 “He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.”
Does God CAUSE wars? No. Humans cause wars. Wars are fought for a variety of reasons, but fundamentally, it all comes down to power and money. And money generally translates to power, so power is the underlying motive for war-power over other people, power over land, power over industrial complexes, power to threaten, to kill, and to destroy. Dictators readily embrace the theory that “might makes right,” even when mercilessly attacking neighboring peaceful nations. The deplorable Russian war on Ukraine is a prime example.
Is there such a thing as a “just war?” For centuries, nations have justified attacking other nations by claiming that God is on their side. But Abraham Lincoln summed it up best. When Lincoln was asked if he thought God was on the side of the Union forces during the Civil War, Lincoln replied, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”
Recently, there were celebrations for the 81st anniversary of D Day and the Normandy invasion. No right-thinking person can possibly defend the Nazi regime headed by a megalomaniac named Hitler. Before World War II ended, six million Jews died in concentration camps and much of Europe and England lay in ruins.
A thorough study of World War II demonstrates that there were many points in the war when things could have gone totally wrong. The evacuation of more than 300,000 British troops at Dunkirk is a prime example. Weather in the Channel between England and France is notoriously fickle; yet, a flotilla of small boats successfully retrieved ten times as many British soldiers as was originally predicted. Later, when Hitler was bombing London, there came a moment when he pulled back planes that might have destroyed everything.
Intercessors for America describes one incident of fulfilled prayer: In 1944, General George S. Patton ordered one of his chaplains to send “every man in the Third Army” a prayer for the rain in Europe to stop. In just under two weeks, General Patton’s prayers were answered. The rain stopped and the Nazis in the First Army Zone were defeated, all because of prayer.
Here is that 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.
General Patton was a great believer in prayer. Patton called the Third Army Chaplain and told him this: “Chaplain, I am a strong believer in Prayer. There are three ways that men get what they want; by planning, by working, and by Praying. Any great military operation takes careful planning, or thinking. Then you must have well-trained troops to carry it out: that’s working. But between the plan and the operation there is always an unknown. That unknown spells defeat or victory, success or failure. It is the reaction of the actors to the ordeal when it actually comes. Some people call that getting the breaks; I call it God. God has His part, or margin in everything, That’s where prayer comes in. Up to now, in the Third Army, God has been very good to us. … This is because a lot of people back home are praying for us. … But we have to pray for ourselves, too. …
I wish you would put out a Training Letter on this subject of Prayer to all the chaplains; write about nothing else, just the importance of prayer. Let me see it before you send it. We’ve got to get not only the chaplains but every man in the Third Army to pray. We must ask God to stop these rains. …”
The Chaplain wrote out that prayer on December 8, 1944, and 250,000 copies were distributed to the troops. At that time, rain and fog were helping the Nazis. By December 16th, the rains abated. The Chaplain reported, “On December 20, to the consternation of the Germans and the delight of the American forecasters who were equally surprised at the turn-about-the rains and the fogs ceased. For the better part of a week came bright clear skies and perfect flying weather. Our planes came over by tens, hundreds, and thousands.” https://ifapray.org/blog/the-power-of-prayer-in-world-war-2/#:~:text=In%201944%2C%20General%20George%20S.%20Patton%20ordered%20one,Army%20Zone%20were%20defeated%2C%20all%20because%20of%20prayer.
How much does God hate war? He hates it so badly that the psalmist describes God destroying every weapon. And God will protect us, not only from physical weapons but also from criticism. Isaiah 54:16-17 tells us, “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.”
“But,” you ask, “what about all those who have died in wars? Were they wrong?” No. Those people were serving their countries in the best way they could. There are men and women called to be warriors, and God allows them to fulfill that calling. Only God can judge human hearts; nobody else is qualified. But at the end of time, God will make all wars cease, destroy all weapons, and bring in His peace, the peace that passes understanding.
Why should we pray for peace while wars continue? You never know how much good your prayers will accomplish. Ask God to show you the situations about which He wants you to pray, and then concentrate on those areas. Such prayers are far more effective than generic “give us peace” prayers. And ask God if there are any means by which He wants you to be an answer to your own prayers.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we look at Ukraine and at the Middle East and we are appalled. Yet, You are the One who can destroy every weapon. Lord, bring just and lasting solutions to the war-torn areas throughout the world and give each of us the prayer assignments you want us to have. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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