But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. – James 1:22
Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, on this day in 1916. President Woodrow Wilson had been supportive of Villa during the Mexican Revolution when Governor Venustiano Carranza had been slow to implement democratic reforms. However, once sufficient reforms were made, President Wilson shifted support back to Governor Carranza, which upset Villa. In January 1916, Villa kidnapped and killed 18 American passengers from a Mexican train. Then, on March 9, Villa led guerillas in a raid on the border town of Columbus, killing 19 American residents and burning the town. This led to the U.S. Army’s Punitive Expedition, a two-year military operation, led by General John Pershing, that sought to bring Villa to justice. While Pershing did not succeed in capturing Villa, the operation convinced Villa to cease attacks on America.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For wisdom for the president and his advisors as they determine who should be supported in international conflicts.
- For the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Pentagon officials as they provide military counsel to the president.
