Prayer makes significant difference

Janet Horton’s book opened the door on military life for me, and I now better understand and appreciate that model of command more. I love this statement: “Fair and square is part of the moral undergirding of the best of army life” p 131. Janet recognised the great good achieved by the military in protecting freedoms and promoting peace, and despite all the hurdles and opposition she encountered, she unfailingly showed respect for the order of command.  Having said that, no aspect of military life escaped the elevating effect of prayer in Col Janet Horton’s experience.  There were many practices and attitudes that needed revising and uplifting, and this pioneering woman made great inroads into improving standards, especially as they applied to women in the chaplaincy. This was all accomplished through her application of Christian Science.

The book emphasised the foundational need for moral courage and the importance of always being at a position of spiritual attention. This protected Horton from all sorts of attacks, including the day of the 9/11 attacks, when she was in the Pentagon and was able to minister to the needs of all the casualties without feeling any fear. There are many outstanding accounts of protection and deliverance, accomplished through prayer, a profound faith in God, and intimate acquaintance with Bible verses and stories. She writes on p 25: “It surprised me a bit that people found it so hard to believe that prayer made a significant difference. I felt so certain that God was willing to help if we made a practice of acknowledging his ability to protect us, no matter what the human circumstances tried to dictate.”  Examples included experiencing no ill-effects from being in a tear-gas chamber without a mask, defusing the threat from an encircling pack of coyotes, and effecting a complete change of heart in a chaplain who had hatefully spat on her.

Another theme which made a deep impression was the need for identifying what was in the heart. “Instantaneous self-awareness of what is happening in your own thought is critical” p 138. When we know what is in the heart, we are able to heal. The author tells of two young chaplains, one a Mormon and one a Methodist, who learnt from her how to give themselves a prayer treatment. Subsequently they had delightedly let her know how they had healed a sprained ankle through identifying what was in the heart.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants an inspiring read about a truly courageous woman and natural leader who relies on God and Christian Science in every aspect of her life.

Marie Fox