1944 was a terrible time in Germany. The war was as good as lost, but the Nazis were still in power. British and American air raids became more and more intense. Day and night, thousands and thousands of civilians lost their lives.
During this traumatic time, a German preacher, Hermann Zaiss, lived in Solingen, a neighbourhood in Wuppertal. He had suffered a lot in his life.
He was a prisoner of war for 4 years during the First World War. Then he served as an evangelist in Germany, but he was persecuted by the Christians because he was a Pentecostal. Then his wife became mentally ill, chronically psychotic.
His heart was broken. He could no longer bear it. He decided to turn away from God. He still believed, but he told God he wanted nothing more to do with him.
“I told God: ‘If you are alive and have an interest in me and your love for me is so great, then come and get me again after 20 years!’”
He divorced his mentally ill wife, became very successful as an entrepreneur and remarried.
Then came the terrible bombing raids in Germany. Everyone was gripped by panic and despair.
As early as 1939, his wife Clara had found her way to God through prayer for her seriously ill daughter. God had healed her daughter and she begged her husband again and again to resume his ministry and help the suffering people.
On 22 July 1944, exactly 20 years after turning away from God, Hermann and Clara knelt down in the bombed-out Protestant church in Ohligs and prayed: ‘Lord, if you want us back, here we are.’ He received a clear commission from God to preach the gospel boldly and with power.
Schneider, Peter. Lame dancing under the pulpit: signs and wonders in the church services of Hermann Zaiss (German Edition) . Asaph Publishing House. Kindle Edition.
Hermann started a house group and God blessed this small beginning. Many desperate neighbours sought Gods help.
The meetings grew larger. They prayed together and trusted God to protect them from the bombs.
In November 1944, Solingen was bombed and thousands lost their lives. Then Hermann Zaiss heard on the radio that the bombers were on their way to his neighbourhood in Ohligs. He went into the garden and prayed for protection and peace.
Shortly afterwards, he heard again on the radio that the bombers had turned away for no apparent reason.
There were also faithful Christians on the British side who prayed for protection.
Colonel Whittlesey was the commander of a British regiment in the Second World War. He was a Christian. He ordered his soldiers to recite Psalm 91 every day. The regiment was in fierce fighting for five years and not a single man was killed.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Ps 91:7 NIV
If God protected many German civilians from bomb attacks during the war and also saved British soldiers, you can be sure that He can also help you during this time and wants to save you.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. Ps 91:1–3 NLT
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