A Soldier’s Perspective on Valley Forge – Lesson 1

[We are going to focus on the U.S. armed services for a while. Note from my friend William J. Ostan, Esq., LL.M., Major (Ret.), who is writing this first series of articles: “I have intensely studied Valley Forge over the last three years. I hope these thoughts stir your heart to pray for America and fill your soul with faith for Her divine destiny to be fulfilled.”]

Discipline

“The General…persuades himself, that the officers and soldiers, with one heart, and one mind, will resolve to surmount every difficulty, with a fortitude and patience becoming their profession and the sacred cause in which they are engaged.” General George Washington, December 17, 1777

General Washington, even at this early stage well before final victory in the Revolutionary War, was already a living legend to his men. However, the Continental Army was completely bereft of the hallmark of all great militaries – discipline. The winter at Valley Forge solved this problem with the arrival of Baron Friedrich Von Stuben, a Prussian military officer who revamped the  Army’s entire training regimen and established “good order and discipline.” This critical time of training prepared and empowered the Continental Army to face the mighty, efficient, and well-disciplined British Army in all subsequent battles.

Valley Forge is where Washington forged the legacy and character of his nascent nation.

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:11; NASB)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • Thank the Lord for the individuals that serve in our U. S. armed services—in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and in the brand new Space Force.
  • Pray that our nation would have a well-prepared military, ever ready to deploy where threat may rise against us.
  • Ask God for the proper funding to be released by the Congress to provide what is needed as far as the equipment, training, and protection our soldiers need. 
  • Intercede for those in uniform to know their identity as soldiers. President George Washington said they were to “resolve to surmount every difficulty, with a fortitude and patience becoming their profession and the sacred cause in which they are engaged.”
  • Pray that the leadership of the armed services would be in unity with the  President and Joint Chiefs of Staff. The defense of our populace depends on their ability to work together in unity, so they can properly direct those at home and on the battlefield.

A prayer you can pray:

Father, I am so thankful for those who have made a life choice to protect us by serving in our United States military. I bless those in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and in the brand new Space Force! May they be well and whole and strong, blessed with fearlessness and focus in their journeys. Help each one to take preparation for battle seriously, as there is no way to know when they may need to be quickly deployed. Provide everything they need as far as spiritual and mental stamina. Let many draw on Your grace. Let their discipline and training yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness in their lives.

Lord, let our Congress continue to provide funding for the things the military is asking for. Proper funding means proper equipment, training, and safe mobilization. Let each active member of the armed forces focus on their identity and on the discipline they need to do their job without hesitation. May the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the very top of our military work together in unity, so all of these things we are praying for can flow down from the head. Let all of those on active duty grasp what President Washington said and “resolve to surmount every difficulty, with a fortitude and patience becoming their profession and the sacred cause in which they are engaged.” They are such an important component of our free republic! We need them in order to remain free. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s decree:

May the U. S. military be well-disciplined as it is a “sacred cause in which they are engaged.”

Learn more about William J. Ostan here.