A Man Of Prayer

               

Thomas Jackson (stonewall) was born in Virginia on January 21, 1824. In 1842 he was accepted to the United States Military Academy. Displaying a dogged determination that was to characterize his life, he became one of the hardest working cadets in the academy. Jackson's personality traits, combined with his frequent success in battle, contribute to his legacy as one of the greatest generals of the American Civil War.

Jackson was a Christian soldier in every sense of the word. His fear of God made him so fearless of everything else. He told someone "my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed”. His faith energized his military thought and character. It was the General’s dream to have a Christian praying army. While such a notion was not possible, we can only awe in reverence to the idea.

Those who knew Jackson realized that he never decided his daily affairs without seeking the Lord. Whether it was battle plans, sending a letter in the mail, or seeking wisdom in his Scripture reading, the general remained faithful in prayer. One biographer said praying was like breathing for him. Jackson himself said, “I have so fixed the habit in my own mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without lifting my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the water of life.”

Prayer remained one of the most deciding parts of the general’s fame. Jackson sought peace before and during the civil war. He constantly prayed for reconciliation and sought the prayers of others, seeking an end to the conflict.  Accounts emerged of his constant prayer life, even amid intense battle. While the battle was raging and the bullets were flying, Jackson rode by, calm as if he were at home, his head raised toward heaven, and his lips moving, evidently in prayer.

In one instance, Rev. R.L. Dabney recalled; “As soon as Jackson uttered his command, he drew up his horse and dropping the reins upon his neck, raised both his hands toward the heavens while the fire of battle in his face changed into a look of reverential awe. Even while he prayed, the God of battles heard; or ever he had withdrawn his uplifted hands the bridge was gained, and the enemy’s gun was captured”.

On May 2, 1863, Jackson was accidentally shot by friendly fire. At a nearby field hospital, his arm was amputated. Jackson’s prayer life impressed those surrounding his bedside. He said to his wife, Anna, “pray for me, but always remember in your prayers to use the petition, ‘thy will be done.'” Jackson’s health continued to decline, fading in and out of consciousness.

When he awoke and saw several surgeons standing around his bed, he said, “I see from the number of physicians that you think my condition is dangerous, but I thank God, if it is His will, that I am ready to go. I am not afraid to die.” Following another difficult night, the general awoke on Sunday, May 10, completely exhausted. It was apparent to everyone that he could not last the day.

Anna broke down sobbing and told Jackson that there was no hope for his recovery. Jackson called for McGuire and said, “Doctor, Anna informs me that you have told her I am to die today. Is it so?” McGuire replied that there was nothing further the doctors could do. Jackson paused then responded, “very good, very good; It is all right.”He slipped into unconsciousness.

Later in the day he awoke; he cried out in his delirium, “order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks' then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. A smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face. He said quietly with an expression, as if of relief, “let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees”and then he died.

W.PJohn, president of the Mercantile Bank of New York relates this incident. He was in the Shenandoah Valley with Gen. Thomas Jordan and at the close of the day they found themselves at the foot of the mountains in a wild and lonely place. The only place they could find for rest was a rough shanty. There they found a rough looking, unshaven man. They were amazed when the time came to eat that this rough backwoodsman bowed his head and prayed.

The banker said, “Never did I hear a petition that more evidently came from the heart. It was so simple, so reverent, so tender, so full of humility and penitence, as well as thankfulness. We sat in silence and as soon as we recovered, I whispered to Gen. Jordan, “Who can he be?” To which he answered, “I don’t know, but he must be one of Jackson’s old soldiers.” And he was. Asking him “were you in the war?” “Oh yes,” he said with a smile, “I was with old Stonewall.”

Jackson believed that if anyone came before the Searcher of hearts, with sincere motives for light and guidance, he was sure to receive it. It was because he believed so strongly in Providence that he believed so strongly in prayer. His prayers brought him understanding, comfort, hope, forgiveness and a growing love of his Savior. He was often mocked for seeking God’s will and direction in every aspect of life. He was conscious of God’s presence at all times and this gave him rest.

General Richard S. Ewell had a reputation for being a heavy drinker, foul mouthed, and blasphemous. During the war he was under the command of General “Stonewall” Jackson. One night, he went to pay a visit to Jackson in his tent. He looked through the door of the tent and saw General Jackson on his knees, arms uplifted to heaven, deep in prayer. He told someone “I don’t know what Jackson has, but I want it.” As a result of Jackson’s example of unshakable faith, General Ewell became a new man in Christ.

It’s likely that Jackson’s prayer life was inspired by David of the Bible. David is an example of biblical figures who embodied a lifestyle of prayer. One time when he thought about the many enemies that surrounded him, he encouraged himself with this “they attack me without cause... but I am a man of prayer” (Ps. 109:1-4). The book of Psalms contains beautiful samples of the heartfelt prayers from David’s devoted heart.

Let’s take a peep into his prayer life. David started his day with prayers. In Psalm 5:3, he says ‘in the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly”. In Psalm 55:17 he says ‘evening and morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud and He shall hear my voice’. In Psalm 88:1 he says, ‘O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before you.”

David faced lots of storms in his life. His Psalms are full of references to danger, stress and accusations. He prayed, “show me the wonders of your great love. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Ps. 17:8); come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge a strong fortress to save me (Ps. 31:2); Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers’ (Ps. 64:2); Lord you are a shield around me” (Ps.3:1-3).

He said “Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle (Ps.140:8); When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches...My soul follows close behind you; your right hand upholds me (Ps. 63:6-8). From the end of the earth I will cry to you when my heart is overwhelmed… For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy (Ps.61:2-4).

David prayed, “guard my life... save your servant who trusts in you... have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you …Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name…Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me” (Ps. 86).

He said “the commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes... By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless... Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord (Ps. 19:12-14).

Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba. He pleaded, “have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love...cleanse me from my sin and I will be whiter than snow … Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me”

David maintained a strong connection with God all through the day. His prayer life was structured; planned for specific times of the day: morning, noon and night. At the same time, his prayer life was spontaneous, prompted by particular situations, needs and issues that arose in the course of the day. David did not limit prayer to times of crisis but ensured it was his way of life.

David prayed in good times and bad times. He sought God’s counsel and wisdom in all matters. In all occasions and locations, mountaintop or valley, David prayed. At times he cried aloud to God, but other times his prayer was a whisper. His prayers soared in worship and his prayers bowed in repentance.  When life got hard prayer was his automatic default.

From David’s Psalms, we witness how prayer provides solace, strength, and guidance. By exploring these scriptural instances and applying their lessons, we can wield the power of prayer. Through prayer we can cultivate a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment across all aspects of life. This daily discipline can lead us on a journey towards increased faith, peace and fulfillment in life!

All our needs can be supplied by Him who has infinite resources. Prayer calms the soul as it rests assured that the Lord is in control. Prayer should not only be the focal point of our lives; it should also serve as an example to others. Our prayers can and will influence the lives of others. Prayer will not only radically change our lives, it will also change the eternal destiny of others.