Great events in history are often defined by spectacular moments that defy logic in the natural realm. Whether it’s an eleventh-hour rescue or a battle won with meager numbers, historians relish recounting the miraculous victories that occur amid overwhelming odds. These stories, while heavy with dates and facts, rarely mention the prayer warriors who were toiling behind the scenes to change the direction of history itself. Though you will not likely find the names of such devoted spiritual soldiers in the pages of some textbook, you will most certainly encounter their influence in every major event in which the world’s most tyrannical regimes have been overthrown.

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When intercessors from all over the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., for IFA’s 50th anniversary celebration in November 2023, history was being made in both the natural and spiritual realms. But it was the spiritual side of history that was truly coming to life as the hearts and minds of so many converged on one particular name: Rees Howells — a man whose life of intercession literally changed world events. Intercessors: Now, more than ever, we need to embrace the prayer strategies of this mighty but humble-hearted man of God!

The very fabric of IFA was inspired by men like Howells, whose life made a profound impact on founding board member John Beckett. Having read Norman Grubb’s book Rees Howells: Intercessor, Beckett was deeply motivated to bring that same spirit of intensive prayer that moves heaven and earth to IFA and its devoted readers. Beckett, who was IFA’s president from 1976 to 1988, and who served as chairman from 1988 to 2010, spoke at the 50th anniversary event about the power of intercessory prayer on the course of World War II. Highlighting the bold actions of Howells and the intercessors at the Bible College of Wales, in Swansea, Beckett shared how a small team of prayer warriors literally changed the tide of the war and took the boot of Hitler off the neck of the free world.

In sync with Beckett’s vision for intercession, Dutch Sheets delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking message on the imperative power of praying for the future. He, too, shared some of the story of Howells, by chronicling what happened in the dark days of the spring of 1940. Hitler was at the height of his power, and having taken over one country after another, he seemed invincible as he prepared to cross the English Channel to invade Great Britain. If he were to succeed, the Continent in its entirety would fall to a merciless dictator. There seemed to be no hope of deliverance. Despair blanketed England. What Hitler could not know was that there was at that very moment a determined remnant of intercessors under the leadership of Howells — and of the Holy Spirit. Day and night they prayed with the ferocity of well-trained, courageous soldiers on the battlefield. Howells remarked: “I want to fight this as if it were the end of civilization.” He implored his warriors: “Do not allow those men at the front to do more than you do here.”

Howells and these intercessors took on no easy fight. As they bowed their heads in the Blue Room (also known as the “war room”) at The Bible College of Wales, hundreds of thousands of soldiers remained stranded in Dunkirk, France, in May 1940. All the while, Nazi tanks prepared to close in. In desperation, King George VI called a National Day of Prayer.  Addressing the nation, he said: “Let us with one heart and soul, humbly but confidently, commit our cause to God and ask his aid, that we may valiantly defend the right as it is given to us to see it.” The Archbishop of Canterbury followed suit by calling on God to protect the troops. People all over Great Britain joined in, hoping for deliverance from the Nazi threat.

Those prayers were not in vain, because days later, a miracle took place. Hitler suddenly halted his advance, giving the Allies valuable time to formulate a plan. The intercessors pressed on as Howells reminded them: “There is an enemy we must keep in check.”

All of this occurred as bombs rained down, hitting British ships and the soldiers along the beach. German U-boats and submarines stalked from beneath the murky waters while soldiers stood by as easy prey. Howells and his team felt the burden deep within their spirits as they pleaded: “Save our men! Save our men!” They did not stop praying, though it took a heavy toll on their bodies. At one point Howells separated himself from the group and went off to intercede alone for four days and nights. And then it happened: Rees knew there was a major breakthrough in the spiritual realm and that deliverance was on the way.

Winston Churchill ordered the launch of Operation Dynamo, calling on civilian boats to rescue the men stranded at Dunkirk. Joyfully, Howells declared that the battle was now in the hands of the Holy Spirit as the evacuations proceeded on an unusually calm sea. By the end, over 1,000 civilian boats had rescued upwards of 338,000 troops. Churchill had hoped for just 30,000, but God had answered His faithful intercessors with so much more!

Certainly, the miracle of Dunkirk firmly illustrated the imperative need for prayer and showed how heartfelt, focused intercession could stop a dictator in his tracks. But there was even more confirmation of this amazing truth at the IFA 5oth, as contributing writer and award-winning actor Rich Swingle came up to perform a powerful monologue as Rees Howells. Addressing the audience in a Welsh accent, Swingle-Howells described what it was like during the dark days of Hitler, and recounted how the intercessors of The Bible College of Wales prayed the malevolent dictator would be “bent.” God’s war on “the Beast” would be fought through the intercession of fervent prayer warriors. Here is an excerpt from the dynamic monologue:

“The spirit of Antichrist was imposed upon one of the greatest Protestant countries in Europe. Hitler scripted journalists, teachers, and clergy. The pastor who would escape persecution had to preach Hitler’s values, soon from Hitler’s approved translation — he’s already gathering his ‘biblical scholars.’ The schoolteacher had to be an educational drill sergeant, and the journalist a soldier with a lying pen. Sensing the increasing danger to the rest of Europe, we put lectures and everything else on one side, and the college was given up to prayer and fasting. The conflict was ‘not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.’ For three whole weeks, over 120 young people who had been called to the vision prayed until they prevailed with God. On Sunday, March 29th they all made a vow to God that they would give their lives on the altar for God to use them to extend his kingdom and give the gospel to every creature. … Those outside the college will never realize what those three weeks cost those students and staff. … At a certain point, we knew we’d broken through, and it became a shout of victory. ‘Bend Hitler!’ Yes, we prayed through to victory in the spiritual realm and knew it would just as certainly come in the natural.”

And below is a recording of the monologue, as performed by Rich Swingle:

The phrase “bend Hitler” meant that this evil tyrant would be forced to move out of the way, bending to the prayers of the intercessors. The dark hour would be overtaken by the light, and the “Beast” would succumb to God’s will.

In an interview, Rich Swingle explained that the story of Rees Howells was foundational to his ministry and that of his wife, Joyce. Moreover, in 2000 Rich was able to take a trip to Wales, where he visited the Blue Room at the Bible college. He stood in the very place where intercessors had prayed for such world events as the miracle of Dunkirk, the defeat of Erwin Rommel, the protection of Russia from Nazi capture, and even a national home for the Jewish people. At the time Rich visited, intercessors there were praying for the downfall of Islam. All these things reminded him of the power of intercession for the past, present, and future. Rich emphasizes that Rees Howells believed that certain events, such as world war, could slow the spread of the gospel. It goes without saying that tyrants and dictators hinder the Word of God. Thus, by all means of intercession and prayer, it seems, the Great Commission would not be stopped on Howells’ watch.

Intercessors, the life of Rees Howells is a model for those seeking to change history for the better. God had a secret weapon in Wales. These intercessors prayed as if they themselves were fighting in the trenches and on the beaches alongside the soldiers in battle physically. They drew their swords by standing on the Word of God.

In Luke 18:1, Jesus tells us that we ought always pray and not lose heart. The Hebrew word for ought in this verse is dei, and it means  “a necessity of law and command, of duty; necessity established by the counsel and decree of God.” As Dutch Sheets explains it, this means that prayer is “binding upon you.” Intercessory prayer is not a suggestion — it is essential.

Time will keep moving forward, and events in history will continue to play out. The question is, where will you be as an intercessor of God? Will you be meeting with the King of kings? Will you allow the Holy Spirit to take hold of your prayers so you can participate in changing the world through intercession? In 1940, Rees Howells saw a vision of God with his sword drawn at Dunkirk. Will you, too, draw your sword, and intercede for the battles that are now raging in this dark world? I believe that you will, and your fellow IFA intercessors will be right there with you, holding back the Enemy through God’s strength.

Now, more than ever, we need to remember the prayer strategies of Rees Howells and allow our lives to be bent by God’s plans for the world.

Lord Jesus, thank You for mighty men of prayer like Rees Howells. Show us how we can intercede for local, statewide, nationwide, and global historical events. Meet with us in our own “Blue Room,” where we can change the course of history.

Does Rees Howells inspire you? How has intercession affected your life and the lives of others? Share below!

Angela Rodriguez is an author, blogger, and home-schooling mom who studies the historical and biblical connections between Israel and the U.S. You can visit her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. She is the author of Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus, and her first children’s book, Hallelujah’s Great Ride, was released in September 2023. Photo Credit: Dee from ภาพของSakorn Sukkasemsakorn.