January 1, Army Brings God Back to the Front Lines

Wyatt’s Take

• War Secretary Pete Hegseth is putting faith back in the Army Chaplain Corps.
• Chaplains have faced pressure to avoid praying in Jesus’ name or sharing their faith stories.
• Many troops and chaplains say faith is needed for strength during war.

Our military used to count on chaplains to lead with faith, but rules and culture have tried to make prayers generic and keep God out.

Now, new orders are bringing back the real role of chaplains — to offer religious comfort, not just secular advice.

Chaplains say neutral prayers aren’t enough.

Real faith helps soldiers deal with danger and trauma.

Retired Chaplain Brad Lewis said he felt America’s leaders finally heard them.

“I felt like I was vindicated. So I was just kind of going, ‘Well, praise the Lord. At last,'”

Lewis told The Federalist.

He hopes these changes stick, since past promises did not last.

After Hegseth’s announcement canceling the “spiritual fitness” guide and restoring chaplains’ religious duties, other chaplains also shared their relief and support.

Chaplains have always had an important place in our armed forces, since George Washington’s time.

But lately, some have faced backlash for ending prayers “in Jesus’ name” or sharing personal stories about how faith helped them.

A chaplain recalled

“He essentially lost his career for that,” Lewis said.

During World War II, General Patton called for prayer cards to help win the fight.

Now, many feel those values have been forgotten.

Lewis said

“We’re now at a place where I can’t mention Jesus in a suicide prevention brief.”

Lewis found that prayers and scripture before missions comforted and motivated his soldiers.

“Soldiers are hungry for the Word.”

“…the response to that from my soldiers was like, ‘Oh, my word, Chaplain, we need that so bad.'”

“Please keep doing that. Thank you for praying for us,'”

He remembered.

Opponents claim bringing back God pressures troops, but supporters believe it restores freedom and hope.

Being able to pray according to faith gives strength that therapy alone cannot.

Lewis summed it up clearly.

“Faith transcends immediate circumstances,”

Lewis said.

“When the chaplain brings God to the fight, he brings something bigger for the soldier to hold on to.”

Wyatt Matters

Faith isn’t just words — it’s what keeps America’s fighting men and women going through the hardest times. When faith is sidelined, the backbone of our service members is weakened.

Standing up for faith in the ranks means standing up for our country’s soul.

Read the full report