Prayer works! Here are the times when prayers saved nations

A major rescue operation is underway in a Thai cave to rescue a dozen boys and their coach who became trapped more than two weeks ago. The operation was thought to be impossible by experts, especially following the loss of a Thai Navy SEAL. The success of the operation may be attributed to prayer. 

Millions of people around the world have joined in prayer to help save a soccer team trapped in a cave in Thailand. Prayer is powerful and effective and has been known to save nations.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
7/9/2018 (6 years ago)

Published in Asia Pacific

Keywords: Prayer, Thailand, saves, lives

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Millions of people, including many Catholics, are praying for the rescue of a dozen boys and their coach who have been trapped in a cave in Thailand. Against all odds, the thirteen people have survived for two weeks. A rescue operation has begun and so far, it has been successful. Experts were skeptical that the trapped team could be brought out alive since many could not even swim. 

There are many complexities that go into a successful operation, and it is difficult to attribute success to any one factor. However, prayer is certainly one of those factors. 

Throughout history, prayer has been decisive, sometimes against tremendous odds. 

Constantine had a vision of the "chi-rho" monogram which symbolized Jesus Christ in his time. After praying and committing his military endeavor to Christ, he defeated his enemies and became emperor. 

In 452, as Attila the Hun marched invincibly on Rome, Saint Leo the Great met with the infamous Attila. Surely aided by prayer and the Holy Spirit, St. Leo miraculously persuaded Attila to turn back, saving the city. 

In 1571, the Rosary is credited with helping the outnumbered Holy League to win a battle against the Ottoman Empire. 

There are also modern examples. During the Battle of Dunkirk, a national day of prayer was called by King George VI of England in 1940. The British Army was trapped on the coast of northeastern France by the German army which enjoyed superior firepower. Had the Germans committed to destroying the British army, the war could have gone differently. Yet the Germans made no concerted effort to stop the army from retreating back to England by sea. Thus, the troops were saved and would return four years later on D-Day. 

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, as the world stood at the brink of nuclear war, America's first Catholic president prayed along with millions of people around the world. Miraculously, despite both sides having justified reasons to strike, neither did. Instead, the Soviets backed down. Thirty years later, Soviet Communism would collapse, in part due to the power of the Catholic Church and prayer. 

These are only a few choice examples out of many, many more. 

Prayer is powerful and effective. It can change individual lives as well as the fates of nations. God hears our petitions and answers them. There can be no doubt prayer is at work at a cave in Thailand. While it is true that those being rescued may not be Christian, God loves all people, regardless if they are Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or even atheist. And every prayer, offered in sincere and humble supplication, reaches God. 

Let us always remember to pray for others, and for our nations, and for peace, because it does work, and it changes the world all the time.