Many soldiers (and their commanders) are highly superstitious and/or turn to a higher power. This dates back centuries, if not millennia: http://www.greatwardi

Many soldiers (and their commanders) are highly superstitious and/or turn to a higher power. This dates back centuries, if not millennia: http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Superstitions/Superstitions_01.htm http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Superstitions/Sup... A number of athletes are the same way: http://paneech.com/2009/05/5-athletes-who-took-superstitions-and-rituals-seriously/ http://paneech.com/2009/05/5-athletes-who-took-superstitions... When your life and/or livelihood regularly depends on factors that you don't control, it's not uncommon to engage in dealmaking with a higher power in order to develop a sense of control over the unknown.