I Never Met An Atheist In A Foxhole! By Lt Col. Tim Powell

You’ve probably all heard the saying, "I never
met an atheist in a foxhole." I recall this statement
from a former acquaintance of mine, Bob, who
served in the Paci. c Theater . ghting the Japanese
during WWII. He said that fear in combat led
soldiers to pray and brought about the desire for a
closer relationship with our Creator.
My friend spent four days in a foxhole, . lled with
water from rains that constantly soaked that Paci. c
island. He said that his prayers, along with those
of his fellow soldiers, saved many lives during the
battle, and that many of his comrades became
Christians as a result. Bob was a Christian before
the war.
And, so it is with our 155th BCT currently serving
in the Middle East. Prayer is a part of their daily
lives, not necessarily because of the war, but
because their beliefs were formed much earlier in
life. These troops are not shy about their beliefs,
as so should we all be. They pray before and after
missions, before they lay down for what little rest
they get, and again when they wake for the next
day’s events. They participate in nightly revival
services, Sunday services, and conducted Easter
services where several were baptized.
Waid Prather, reporter and editor of the
Carthaginian newspaper, was with the 155th BCT
while they were training in the Mojave Desert at
Fort Irwin, Ca. He observed their daily devotions,
even late at night when they should otherwise be
sleeping. He said that was as much a part of the
155th as was their training in preparation for their
missions in Iraq.
Prayer is a lot like the uniform that we wear. The
military uniform is a common denominator for all of
us, and so it is with prayer. Let us all continue to
pray for our troops overseas, and for their families
back home as well.
Many have different beliefs, but for those who
believe that God answers prayers will hopefully
continue to petition Him for protection and a safe
return home.
"And this is the con. dence that we have in
Him, that, if we ask any thing according to his
will, He heareth us: And if we know that He
hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of Him."
1 John 5:14, 15
FROM THE EDITOR:
Lt. Col. Tim Powell