During the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, German troops were advancing on the small village of Pontmain, France. The villagers, as others in times of war, were terrified. Their village would be occupied, homes possibly destroyed and their families harmed. Their live-stock would be confiscated along with any crops growing or in storage-the village would be vanquished!
However, these villagers had been praying in earnest before the war and during the threat of German occupation. They prayed ever the more so, during this time, for heavenly intervention. They stormed the very gates of heaven. They importuned God; they asked for intercession by His saints now residing in heaven with Him. They invoked the intecessary aid of His Mother.
When the German war machine was only miles from Pontmain, and the thunder of their cannons could be heard in the distant country side, Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in the sky above the village on January 17. She stayed suspended in mid-air for several minutes. She wore a dark blue dress and had a crucifix in her hands. Most of Pontmain, France saw her. Beneath the Holy Mother appeared the words:
"Pray please, God will hear you soon. My Son lets Himself be touched."
The advancing war machine, that very night, received a communiqué from the German high command. They were ordered to advance no further ! And then, they were called back. Eleven days later, the 28th of January, an armistice was signed between France and Germany.
The village of Pontmain, France did not wait to call on God when an emergency was happening, they already had His "ear." Therefore, when they needed Him, He was there--they were "Prayed Up !"
In 1571, on this date occurred the famous sea battle at Lepanto, close to Corinth, Greece. Two-hundred-fifty warships, propelled with oar-power under the command of John of Austria almost completely destroyed an armada of 270 Turkish ships . The Turkish armada was powered by oars, also, and was commanded by Ali Pasha of Algiers.
If the Muslims had won this final battle, a sea battle, Islam would have conquered most of Europe and Christianity would have been doomed. They would have taken over the Church too, and they should have won ! However, most of Christian Europe had been in constant prayer to the Christian God. Christianity met, fought, and defeated the Muslims on October 7, of that year.
On this date, Christianity was saved from tyranical rule and abolishment. The Christians were greatly out-gunned.
One man, Pope Pius V, stood against them by organizing a fleet of ships. He furthermore called for all of Europe, East and West, to join in prayer and say the rosary for intecessary pray er. They too, like Pontmain, France, had been "Prayed-Up ."
In times of emergency, many aren't prayed up, thus, they feel their prayers weren't answered; or, at best, too slow. Those who are prayed-up, though they may not have them answered the way they want, they do receive a peace and joy the world may not understand, "though they be in hell."
Another way to look at this, the Great Saint Theresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, who was once a "not too pious nun, " said, in speaking with Christ, the following conversation took place:"When will you cease to heap obstacles in my path?" St. Theresa asked of Christ.
"That is how I treat my friends," the Master replied.
"Then it is not astonishing that you have so few," returned the Saint of Avila.