June 6, 2019, marks the seventy fifth anniversary of D-Day. In what has been deemed to be the largest amphibious attack in history, the Allied Forces strategically landed at five locations along the beaches of Normandy, France to liberate France from Nazi German occupation. Code named Operation Overlord, this launch in 1944 marked a major turning point in World War II and forever changed world history. Forces went on to free Western Europe from Nazi domination. Overnight boys became men.
Those who fought in this war have been called, “The Greatest Generation.” All of these fighters gave some, some gave all. Those who did return home never spoke of the horrors they encountered or the brothers they lost. They came home to build lives and raise families. Many were plagued by nightmares and flashbacks for the rest of their life but those around them never knew.
I am sure many reading this have a dad, uncle, brother, grandfather in their family who also served. I know that for my father God and country came first. He was so proud to be an American. Barely twenty, he became a U.S. citizen and gladly signed up in the United States Army. His love of this country and sense of service were so strong. He put his young life on the line to go to unknown parts of the world to defend this Nation and stop the insidious spread of Nazism. They all left so young and those who returned were changed men.
Prayer Unites
I watched several documentaries about D-Day this week. Included were interviews from 1944 and with today’s remaining survivors. The horrors of this war and the indelible mark on world history will reverberate forever. So many things touched my heart about this period of history and those who stepped up without question to serve. Clip after clip showed troops corporately praying before battle. With heads bowed they sought God’s grace and protection in the coming hours.
For “The Greatest Generation” there was no question. My Dad always said, “There are no atheists in a fox hole.” I really did not understand that when growing up, but in listening to these stories and seeing the clips of troops praying en masse I have come to realize how precious their connection with God was in their time of great need.
A Personal Glimpse into the Lives and Spirits of a Band of Brothers
The picture above is of my Dad’s unit at Camp Crowder, Missouri, before embarking to war. On the back are the signatures and home towns of all the young men. As I read each name I prayed for their families and thanked God that He sent my Dad home safely. The book, Signaling the French, Adventures of a World War II Army Team. By William T. Bluhm, recounts the story of the Fifth Signal Center Team in World War II. It is a book about the journey of my Dad’s team through the war and home. It is a poignant look into the lives of a team of men who left loved ones behind to defend freedom.
Not the usual wartime analysis, this book shows a very human side from the viewpoint of those serving, letters written home, and the perspective of two of the wives who were on the home front waiting. There is much in the book about the relationship these men had with God. From Catholics to Protestants to Jews they came together in faith to serve.
Sadly, today questions arise about the political correctness of prayer in the military. There have even been attempts to remove all crosses from military gravesites…and so much more against Judeo-Christian faith in the military.
Discern the Times
In this season in our history let us stand for freedom for our military forces to practice the Judeo-Christian faith that has made our country strong. Those courageous men who hit the beaches at Normandy risked all for freedom. I am sure that “The Greatest Generation” was great in part due to their strong faith. I am equally sure they would be appalled at current ‘politically correct’ attempts to remove prayer, crosses or the use of the name of Jesus in prayers by chaplains. Our family members faced the horrors of World War II to protect such basic freedoms of faith.
We must stand strong to ensure that these freedoms are not taken away. Listening to the daily news it is clear that much of what we have held dear as a Nation is eroding at a very swift pace. The times are treacherous. We are each here ‘for such a time as this!’ Now is the time to stand firm for our Judeo-Christian values.
May God bless all of our troops and may He keep us free in the United States of America!
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” Jesus, Matthew 21:43
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance.” ”Psalm 33:12
“The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you…the tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!”~Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944
“We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.” ~Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” ~Douglas MacArthur
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our diplomatic corps, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. May the Lord bless them and keep them safe.
Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history.
May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe from all enemies both foreign and domestic. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour.
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You for the ultimate price that Jesus paid to set us free. We pray hedges of protection around all who have served, are serving or have returned home from serving in our Armed Forces. Instill in our heart the love of God and love of country that has guided our Nation from its inception. We thank You that You keep Your hand on this United States of America that we will remain One Nation Under God. Raise us up in fullness ‘for such a time as this.’ We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward, let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life!
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
For it is written:
“Yet who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?”
