A German Soldier’s Prayer
In August 1944 the tide of the war had turned against the Axis forces. A German soldier wrote his parents a heartfelt letter expressing his concern for them and faith in God’s protection:
Dear Parents,
A time of uncertainty, apprehension and fear is now beginning for you as well. I pray sincerely that God gives you courage each day, and that you don’t sink into worry but hold onto the certainty that your prayers will be heard. Rest assured and be happy! That is my wish and my plea to you. Don’t be afraid, even during the days when you hear nothing and can know nothing about how things are for me. Everything that I experience and am permitted to live through in these times reassures me that I will be kept safe for you, for God does nothing by halves. I shall come through these dangers. God granted me life through you. For that I am always grateful to you.
Your son, Friedrich494
The prayers of this soldier and his parents were not answered in the way they wished. Friedrich was killed in September 1944, days after writing this letter. We know that thousands of other Christian families, both German and American, were disappointed in the same way during this horrendous war. Does this mean that all those prayers were in vain? I fervently believe that this was not the case. God heard every one of those prayers, and those praying received a blessing of more lasting significance than life or death on this earth. It is the amazing nature of God, the almighty creator of the universe, to also be our loving Father who allows us to approach him in our private thoughts. Through our prayers we have an opportunity to grow closer to him and to understand his desires for us. A few minutes in his presence are worth a lifetime outside of it. He doesn’t guarantee our safety, but he does guarantee to hear us and to be with us no matter how terrible our circumstance.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
—Hebrews 4:16