Introduction
In her book "Faith Still Moves Mountains," Harris Faulkner, a seasoned journalist, takes readers on a profound journey exploring the power of prayer and the presence of God in our lives. Drawing from her years of experience as a reporter, Faulkner has witnessed both the depths of human suffering and the heights of triumph against impossible odds. Through it all, she has come to recognize a common thread: the undeniable presence of God, always just a prayer away.
This book is a collection of real-life accounts that illuminate the transformative power of faith and prayer. Faulkner has gathered hundreds of moving stories that demonstrate God's presence in our lives, sometimes in obvious ways and other times in more subtle manifestations. While it's impossible to share every story, this summary focuses on two particularly powerful narratives that exemplify the book's central themes.
The Power of Prayer in Times of Despair
Tina Zahn's Story: A Miracle on the Bridge
One of the most compelling stories in Faulkner's book is that of Tina Zahn, a Wisconsin mother who struggled with depression throughout her life. Tina's battle with mental health took a dramatic turn when she experienced severe postpartum depression after the birth of her third child. This experience plunged her into a darkness deeper than she had ever known before.
Tina's story draws parallels to the biblical account of Joseph, who spent years imprisoned in an underground cell in Egypt. Just as Joseph felt abandoned and forgotten, Tina found herself in a metaphorical prison of depression, feeling isolated and alone. The author uses this comparison to illustrate how depression can feel like a locked cell with no way out, a place where one feels abandoned and forgotten by both people and God.
In her darkest moment, Tina decided to end her life. She drove to the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a 200-foot-high structure spanning the Fox River. As she prepared to jump, something miraculous happened. State Trooper Les Boldt, who was about to end his shift, received a call about a potential jumper on the bridge. Despite protocol suggesting he wait for backup, Boldt rushed to the scene.
The events that unfolded next were nothing short of extraordinary. As Tina jumped, her feet caught on the barrier for a split second, giving Boldt just enough time to grab her arm. For 16 agonizing seconds, he held onto Tina, fighting against gravity until backup arrived. Together, three officers managed to pull Tina back to safety.
Faulkner emphasizes that while the quick thinking and bravery of the officers were crucial, there was a larger story at play. Tina believes that the ceaseless prayers of her family and friends played a significant role in her rescue. These prayers were an expression of love and care from her community, a refusal to abandon her in her time of need. In Tina's view, God heard these prayers and refused to abandon her as well.
This experience marked a turning point in Tina's life. While she still grapples with depression, she emerged from this ordeal as a stronger woman and a more devout believer. Today, Tina has become an author, a church leader, and an advocate for mental health awareness, particularly focusing on postpartum depression.
Tina's story serves as a powerful testament to the impact of prayer and community support in times of crisis. It illustrates how faith can provide hope and strength even in the darkest moments of our lives.
Prayer in Times of War: General Patton's Weather Prayer
The Battle of the Bulge: A Prayer for Fair Weather
Another remarkable account in Faulkner's book takes us back to World War II, specifically to a pivotal moment during the Battle of the Bulge. This story revolves around General George S. Patton and his army chaplain, James O'Neill, demonstrating how prayer played a crucial role in one of the war's most significant battles.
The narrative begins in Nancy, France, on December 8, 1944. Chaplain O'Neill is stationed at the temporary headquarters of General Patton's Third Army. For two months, relentless rain has hindered the army's advance, washing away roads and grounding aircraft. This delay not only stalls their progress but also gives Hitler's forces time to regroup and prepare a counterattack.
In a surprising turn of events, General Patton calls Chaplain O'Neill with an unusual request: he needs a prayer for good weather. O'Neill, unable to find a suitable prayer in his books, crafts one himself. The prayer he writes becomes historic, beseeching God to "restrain these immoderate rains" and grant fair weather for battle.
Faulkner uses this incident to delve into a profound conversation between Patton and O'Neill about the role of prayer in warfare and life. Patton expresses his belief that success in life, including military operations, requires three elements: planning, work, and prayer. He emphasizes that while planning and fighting are essential, there's always an unknown factor – the human factor – that can determine the outcome of events.
Patton's perspective on prayer is particularly insightful. He views it not as a mere ritual but as a powerful force that completes a circuit between humanity and the divine. In his words, prayer is like "plugging in on a current whose source is in Heaven." This conversation leads to the creation and distribution of 250,000 prayer cards to the men of the Third Army on December 11, 1944.
The timing of this prayer initiative proves to be crucial. On December 16, Hitler's armies launch a massive counterattack, marking the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. The Allied forces find themselves in a dire situation, with over 12,000 troops surrounded by a much larger German force in southern Belgium.
The continuous rain and fog severely hamper the Allied response. Patton's forces can only mount an effective counterattack if the weather clears for at least 24 hours. It's in this context that the power of prayer becomes evident. On Christmas morning, 1944, the rain suddenly stops, the fog lifts, and the skies clear – a change that even the most optimistic weather reports hadn't predicted.
This unexpected break in the weather allows Patton's troops to advance with full air support. They break through German lines on December 26, lifting the siege of Bastogne. Remarkably, the good weather persists until late January, enabling the Allies to decisively win the Battle of the Bulge on January 28, 1945. This victory effectively breaks the Nazi war machine, leading to the end of the war in Europe just four months later.
Faulkner's retelling of this historical event highlights the intersection of faith, leadership, and military strategy. It illustrates how prayer can be a source of hope and strength even in the most challenging circumstances, potentially influencing outcomes beyond human control.
The Multifaceted Nature of Prayer
Throughout "Faith Still Moves Mountains," Faulkner explores various aspects of prayer and its impact on individuals and communities. Here are some key insights from the book:
Prayer as an Expression of Care and Love
One of the central themes in Faulkner's book is the idea that prayer is a powerful expression of care and love for others. This is evident in both Tina Zahn's story and the account of General Patton's weather prayer.
In Tina's case, the prayers of her family and friends were a tangible demonstration of their love and concern for her well-being. These prayers created a support network that extended beyond physical presence, reaching into the spiritual realm. Faulkner suggests that this outpouring of prayer played a crucial role in Tina's miraculous rescue and subsequent recovery.
Similarly, in the context of war, Patton's initiative to encourage prayer among his troops was not just a military strategy but also a way of fostering unity and hope. The act of praying together created a sense of shared purpose and mutual support among the soldiers, strengthening their resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.
Prayer as a Source of Strength in Adversity
Faulkner's book emphasizes how prayer can be a wellspring of strength during times of hardship. This is particularly evident in Tina Zahn's struggle with depression. Even when Tina felt abandoned and hopeless, the prayers of her loved ones served as an invisible lifeline, ultimately contributing to her survival and recovery.
The author draws parallels between Tina's experience and the biblical story of Joseph, highlighting how faith can sustain individuals through prolonged periods of suffering and isolation. Just as Joseph never lost his faith during his years of imprisonment, prayer can help modern individuals maintain hope and resilience in their own personal struggles.
Prayer as a Catalyst for Change
Another significant theme in the book is the potential for prayer to catalyze change, both on personal and larger scales. In Tina's story, prayer was instrumental in her rescue and subsequent transformation. It not only saved her life in a literal sense but also set her on a new path as an advocate for mental health awareness and a leader in her church community.
The account of Patton's weather prayer illustrates how prayer can potentially influence events on a grand scale. While the clearing of the weather during the Battle of the Bulge can be viewed from various perspectives, Faulkner presents it as a powerful example of how prayer might impact circumstances beyond human control.
Prayer as a Connection to the Divine
Faulkner's book consistently reinforces the idea that prayer serves as a direct line of communication with God. This concept is vividly illustrated in Patton's description of prayer as "plugging in on a current whose source is in Heaven." The author suggests that through prayer, individuals can tap into a power greater than themselves, finding guidance, comfort, and strength.
This connection to the divine is presented not as a distant, formal relationship, but as an intimate and accessible one. Faulkner emphasizes that God is always present and attentive to our prayers, even in moments when we feel most alone or forgotten.
Prayer in Unexpected Places
One of the insights from Patton's conversation with Chaplain O'Neill is the idea that prayer isn't confined to formal settings or rituals. The general points out that while his men pray fervently during battle, they often neglect prayer during quieter times. He challenges the notion that prayer is something that only happens in a church, encouraging his troops to pray in their tents, on the battlefield, or wherever they find themselves.
This perspective broadens the concept of prayer, presenting it as a constant, ongoing conversation with God rather than a formal, occasional practice. Faulkner's book encourages readers to integrate prayer into all aspects of their lives, recognizing that divine support and guidance are available in every situation.
The Communal Aspect of Prayer
While personal prayer is important, Faulkner's book also highlights the power of communal prayer. This is evident in both main stories presented. In Tina's case, it was the collective prayers of her community that she believes contributed to her rescue. In the World War II account, Patton's initiative to distribute prayer cards to his entire army created a unified spiritual front.
The author suggests that when people come together in prayer, whether physically or in spirit, their collective faith can have a profound impact. This communal aspect of prayer not only strengthens the prayers themselves but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose among those praying.
Prayer and Action: A Balanced Approach
An important nuance in Faulkner's exploration of prayer is the balance between faith and action. This is particularly evident in Patton's philosophy of success, which includes planning, work, and prayer. The book doesn't present prayer as a substitute for human effort but as a complementary force that works alongside human actions.
In Tina's story, while prayer played a crucial role, it was the quick action of the police officers that physically saved her life. Similarly, in the Battle of the Bulge, while the weather change was seen as an answer to prayer, it was the strategic planning and brave actions of the soldiers that secured the victory.
This balanced view encourages readers to couple their prayers with appropriate actions, recognizing that faith often works hand in hand with human effort.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Faith
In "Faith Still Moves Mountains," Harris Faulkner presents a compelling case for the enduring power of prayer in our lives. Through real-life stories of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, she illustrates how faith can provide hope, strength, and even miraculous interventions in times of need.
The book's central message is one of reassurance: we are never truly alone. Even in our darkest moments, when we feel forgotten or overwhelmed by life's challenges, God is always present and attentive to our prayers. Faulkner encourages readers to view prayer not just as a means of personal supplication, but as a powerful tool for supporting others and effecting change in the world around us.
From Tina Zahn's dramatic rescue on a bridge to the pivotal weather change during the Battle of the Bulge, these stories serve as testaments to the unexpected ways in which prayer can manifest in our lives. They challenge us to broaden our understanding of prayer, seeing it not as a formal ritual confined to specific times and places, but as an ongoing conversation with the divine that can occur anywhere and at any time.
Faulkner's book also emphasizes the importance of community in our spiritual lives. Whether it's the prayers of loved ones supporting someone through depression or an entire army uniting in prayer for a common cause, the power of collective faith is a recurring theme throughout the narratives.
Ultimately, "Faith Still Moves Mountains" is a call to embrace the transformative power of prayer in our daily lives. It encourages readers to maintain hope in the face of adversity, to reach out to others through prayer, and to recognize the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways in which divine intervention shapes our world.
In a time when many feel disconnected and overwhelmed by life's challenges, Faulkner's book offers a powerful reminder of the strength and comfort that can be found through faith. It invites readers to open themselves to the possibility of miracles, both great and small, and to never underestimate the power of a heartfelt prayer.