The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:16-18
The spirit of Elijah is on the State of West Virginia!
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
“God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.” — thus spoke John Wesley, the flame-hearted herald of the Great Awakening. These words, simple yet thunderous, unveil a mystery as ancient as the dawn of creation: that the Almighty, though all-powerful, binds His acts of mercy and power to the faith-filled petitions of His children. Wesley’s declaration is not a boast of man’s power over God, but a revelation of divine partnership — that heaven and earth labor together, hand in hand, through prayer that believes.
That is, we tell Him what He has told us to tell Him - and the kingdoms of this world will fall. “The Sovereign Lord has spoken—who can but prophesy?” Amos 3:8b Peter could only utter what the Father had revealed to him - “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
On June 20, 1863 God raised up another Elijah to speak His purpose into existence.
On June 15, 1863 General Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia crossed from Virginia into Pennsylvania. He had just come from the Battle of Chancellorsville - a stunning victory of a smaller army over a larger one. He had the Capital of the United States of America in his sights. General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson had been the chief architect of that victory - but he was no more!
Rev. J.T. McClure under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit prayed - We adore Thee that Thou art a prayer hearing and a prayer answering God. We have come before Thee day by day, pleading that Thou wouldst grant us a boon we are now, this day, to be put in possession of. While we beseech Thee, at this time that Thou wilt grant Thy rich blessings on the President of the United States, and all the members of the Government, Civil and Military, upon the whole Government of the United States, we pray that Thou wilt, at the same time, grant especial blessings on the new State now to be added to the constellation of our Stars. As this day, in Thy good providence, we come together here to arrange its Government, and to institute all its civil proceedings that are necessary, we pray that the God who rules and reigns supreme above, will acknowledge our acts and will bless us in its administration. And grant, we pray Thee, Almighty God, that this State, born amidst tears and blood, and fire, and desolation, may long be preserved, and from its little beginning may grow to be a might and a power that shall make those who come after us look upon it with joy and gladness and pride of heart. We pray that thou wilt grant this day to be with those of our friends who are patriots in the field. And if, this day, they are engaged in battle and are in the midst of strife and death, will God Almighty fight for them and espouse their cause, and give them victory. Will God Almighty be pleased to crush this unholy rebellion, speedily to accomplish this, our purpose, and give to us peace instead of war, and order instead of confusion.
Pardon our sins! Hear us in our prayers for Jesus sake – Amen.
On July 4, 1863 Lee retreated through now West Virginia back into Virginia never to threaten the National Capitol again.
The State of West Virginia was born in the crucible of effective fervent prayer.
"Whom the Son sets free is free indeed" is a phrase from John 8:36 in the Bible, meaning that those who are liberated by Jesus are truly free from sin and its consequences. This freedom signifies both liberation from the bondage of sin and the assurance of eternal life in Christ.
The official state motto of West Virginia is "Montani Semper Liberi" (Latin for "Mountaineers are Always Free").
In Freedom’s Grip!
T.D. Quill
