Prayer at Valley Forge || General Washington || Jon McNaughton Art

“Prayer at Valley Forge” by Jon McNaughton

In the fall of 1777, George Washington took his army and made winter quarters near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The lack of supplies, frigid cold, and rampant disease led to the death of an estimated 25% of Washington’s soldiers that winter.

In my painting, I chose to depict General Washington kneeling in fervent prayer for his army and the cause of freedom. Unbeknownst to him, large warrior angels stand beside him in the snow. A warrior to the right holds the Sword of Truth, his hand over his heart. A warrior to the left wields the Sword of Virtue, gesturing toward Washington. The strength of Washington and his army was not solely in their skills and weaponry, but in their faith, courage, and virtue, as they stood strong in the face of tyranny.

My heart rejoices in this story of the prayer at Valley Forge. As we look to uncertain times ahead, let us remember to pray for God’s blessing, wisdom, and strength to face every battle that comes. Let us also remember that when all seems lost, there are more for us than are against us!

"In that woods, pointing to a close-in view, I heard a plaintive sound as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling and went quietly into the woods, and to my astonishment, I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching Him to interpose with His Divine aid, as it was the Crisis, and the cause of the country, of humanity, and of the world. 'Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home and told my wife. I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before, and just related to her what I had seen and heard and observed. We never thought a man could be a soldier and a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. She also was astonished. We thought it was the cause of God, and America could prevail.'" – As taken from the diary of Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden, as stated by Isaac Potts, a British loyalist who lived in Valley Forge during the winter of 1777 and 1778.

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ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Jon McNaughton is America’s foremost conservative artist. An outspoken critic of liberalism, McNaughton strives to paint images that express his ideas and beliefs. Hated and loved for his controversial work, viewers from around the globe write about the unique perspective of these paintings that seem to tap into the heart of American patriotism.