Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.*
On the back of the Prayer, which was sent to every soldier in the Third United States Army, was Patton's personal 1944 Christmas Message to each one of them.
Alan Axelrod, Patton on Leadership: Strategic Lessons for Corporate Warfare (Paramus, N.J.: Prentice Hall Press, 1999), 267.
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 238
* (Nobility.org Editorial comment: This prayer was written by Fr. James O’Neill, chief chaplain of the Third Army, at General Patton’s request. )
