Little Sweet Pea has been on a Bible verse memorizing frenzy. She asked for some extra time online for a building game so I told her the only way she could have it was that she would have to “earn” her online time. Her currency is one hour of computer time per one memorized verse. Holy Spirit has shown what passages He would like her to “...hide in her heart.” Her first passage was Proverbs 4:20-27. The second passage she is presently working on is Psalm 91; subtitled “Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God.”
This passage is pivotal for the season we are in.
There are numerous true accounts of the protection of God over the centuries. One such story was from WWll. Before Spencer January, a young solder left for World War ll, his pastor prayed Psalm 91 and other protection verses over him and his comrades. In 1945, his 35th infantry was ordered to take the town of Ossenburg, Germany in which a war factory that supplied Hitler’s troops was located. The young men had been pushing through in deep jungle-like terrain for hours only to come to a large clearing. This was the point of no return. Gravely disturbed at the thought of not making it home alive, his only hope was for God to come through. His thoughts turned to a faithful praying lady in his home church, Mrs. Tankersly. He wondered if her prayers were really for real. Falling on his knees, he passionately cried out, “God, you’ve got to help me!” With his prayer barely off his lips, his group was ordered to move forward. Gripping his rifle, he faced the fact he would probably never see his family again.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a large white cloud appeared where only moments before it was a totally clear blue sky. The cloud lowered and covered the clearing giving the Germans no ability to see where to fire. Spencer and his fellow soldiers took off across the clearing covered in the white cloud only to find themselves in the thicket in short order. His entire group made it across; even the wounded were able to be pulled to safety. As the last soldier made it to safety, the cloud vanished! The Germans had not realized the troop had already crossed! It was truly miraculous protection; a supernatural intervention. In fact, they were also able to take over the war factory in Ossenburg, too.
Soon mail came for Spencer. In it was a letter from his mom. She mentioned that Mrs. Tankersly had told her about a spiritual visitation she had received from God. He told her that Spencer January was in trouble. “Get up right now and pray for him!” She prayed until she left to go to work. Her last prayer was: “Lord, whatever danger Spencer is in, just cover him with a cloud!” Spencer realized that the very time she had been praying was just as the soldiers had come upon the German ambush. That 6:00 AM prayer for cloud covering had been prayed at 1:00 PM Germany time — just when they were commanded to dash across the danger zone. It was truly a supernatural intervention.
From that time on and for the next 60 years. Spencer dedicated his early morning hours to pray for friends and relatives. He was convinced that one prayer of that faithful prayer warrior saved his life and countless others.
Be encouraged. Memorize Psalm 91. Meditate on His protection and promises every day. Prayer changes things!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
