Miracles in American History: 32 Amazing Stories of Answered Prayer was written by Susie Federer, the wife of Christian historian William Federer, who is a best-selling author and much-sought-after speaker. Susie adapted the stories in this book from her husbandâs American Minute book, a book recalling a fascinating story from American history for each day of the year, on the dates they occurred. The first introductory page of Susieâs book says simply âBecause America needs a miracle today . . .â How true that is. If most American Christians repented and got on their knees, perhaps we would see miracles, as in the earlier days of our nation.
This book would certainly be a valuable read for any individual who has a desire to know more about the Christian heritage of America. In the introduction found on pages 9 and 10, Susie recommends reading the amazing stories in this book to your children and grandchildren, too. (I might add you might also have opportunity to share them with your nieces and nephews.) I would say these stories might be a little above the comprehension of children under age 12. Also, the main topic of many of the stories is war, so it would not be appropriate for young children. Much of the text includes quotes of political leaders, whose vocabularies are not always simple and whose sentence structures are sometimes of a different era. Having a dictionary or smart phone close by could help increase vocabulary and an understanding of the text. High school students could read the stories on their own, but of course reading them together would be a valuable family venture, giving opportunity for conversation. Susie even recommends sharing the stories with your friends and fellow employees. Their testimonies of Godâs ability to intervene in the history of a nation can transform lives.
Psalm 145:4 says, âOne generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts.â [WEB] In Judges 2 we see what happens when the stories of the works of God are not passed on to the next generation. Verse 7 says: âThe people served Yahweh [God] all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Yahweh that he had worked for Israel.â [WEB] Verses 10 and 12 say: âAfter all that generation were gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who didnât know Yahweh, nor the work which he had done for Israel . . . They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked Yahweh to anger.â [WEB]
As I began reading some of the stories of Miracles in American History, I began to realize that there were some other facets to be learned from these stories, besides Godâs intervention on behalf of America. I believe the stories reveal the heavy-handedness of tyranny, which is important knowledge that perhaps not all young Americans have been allowed to see. The stories also show that the Christian faith was deeply woven into the leaders of our nation in days past. The stories disclose the wisdom of our forefathers in recognizing the need for humble repentance, prayer, and fasting, in order to ask Godâs favor. These stories show that some paid a very dear price to gain our freedom, and it should never be taken for granted.
I will share the essence of a few of the stories in Susie Federerâs book. First I will summarize story #14, called âWhen Adams Declared a Day of Fasting and Prayer.â John Adams became the second President of the United States after George Washingtonâs two terms. The French Revolution had come to France, with an anti-Christian Reign of Terror. The âCommittee of Public Safetyâ in Paris beheaded 40,000 businessmen, wealthy people, and royalty. The churches were closed down, religious monuments were demolished, priests and ministers were killed on sight. Almost 300 American ships that were headed for British ports were seized. In order to get the French to leave American ships alone, America would have to pay a French official millions of dollars. An American commission refused. As America edged close to a war with France, George Washington consented to once again serve as Commander-in-Chief. President Adams announced a Day of Fasting on March 23, 1798, and also March 6, 1799. A war with the French was avoided, and the Second Great Awakening Revival began to blow across America.
Story #17, called âMore British Troops Killed by a Tornado Than All American Firearms,â is another amazing story. At the beginning of the War of 1812, President James Madison declared a Day of Prayer on July 23, 1813. When Napoleon left the throne of France on April 6, 1814, British forces no longer needed to fight France. That allowed them to capture almost 1,000 American ships and invade New York, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C. When 4,500 British soldiers marched toward Washington, D.C., on August 24, 1814, the residents fled the city. British Admiral Cockburn went into the White House, ate his dinner there, then torched it. Then he and some soldiers went on to light the Capitol, the Treasury, the building housing the Department of War, and the Library of Congress on fire. All of a sudden dark clouds, wind, thunder, and lightning descended. A tornado sent things flying, blew roofs off, and caused chimneys and walls to fall on the British. Two of the British cannons were picked up by tornado winds and then replanted some yards from their original position. Strong winds knocked horses and their riders onto the ground. When Admiral Cockburn asked a lady if storms like that were common there, she replied, âNo, Sir, this is a special intervention of Providence to drive our enemies from our city.â While the British retreated, two hours of torrential rain put out the fires. After marching through fallen trees, they discovered that two of their ships had blown ashore and other ships had their riggings damaged. President Madison declared that there would be a National Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer to Almighty God on November 16, 1814. A British historian noted that the storm had killed more British soldiers than the defense by American troops.
Story #30 is a brief story entitled âPresident Truman Thanks God for World War II Victory.â August 16, 1945, was set as a Day of Prayer by President Truman. The President stated that the surrender of Japan had come by the help of God. He said, âLet us . . . dedicate ourselves to follow in His ways.â When President Truman lit the National Christmas Tree on December 24, 1946, he said:âOur . . . hopes of future years turn to a little town in the hills of Judea, where on a winterâs night two thousand years ago the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled. . . Through all the centuries, history has vindicated His teaching . . . In this great country of ours has been demonstrated the fundamental unity of Christianity and democracy. President Truman turned the National Day of Prayer into a yearly event in 1952.
He declared, âIn times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace . . . we stand in special need of Divine support.â
I cannot resist quoting a statement by General MacArthur given in story # 31. He said: âHistory fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has been either a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster.â
The final story, story #32, is an interesting commentary on the faith expressed during the Apollo space missions. It shows that under the Obama administration, after the Apollo missions, NASA was steered away from its Christian focus. The conclusion of the book is about continuing to pray for miracles in America. Readers are reminded that President Obama also cancelled a National Day of Prayer event at the White House but celebrated Ramadan. The author reminds readers that Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 outline blessings that will be experienced by a nation that serves the true and living God and the punishment that will be experienced by a nation that turns away from God and His ways.
II Chronicles 7:14 is quotedâthe familiar promise that, if Godâs people will humble themselves, pray, seek Godâs face, and turn from wickedness, God will forgive them and âheal their land.â The ending of the book is a beautiful prayer that we can pray for our nation.
Perhaps there will be a turning to God in our land before Christâs return. If not, Christian families will still benefit from these stories of examples of repentance, obedience, and seeking Godâs help. We need to seek Godâs help on an individual basis, even when the majority of our nation is in rebellion.
Also see: Miracles in American History, Volume Two: Amazing Faith That Shaped the Nation: Adapted from William J. Federer’s American Minute Paperback by the same author.
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