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June 06, 2007
FDR D-Day Prayer
Please read this incredibly powerful prayer by President Roosevelt. Can you imagine an American President delivering such a G-d centered invocation in this day and age? He'd be sued by the ACLU, and whole legions of citizens would be wailing about the separation of Church and State. Roosevelt is so not multi-cultural; he actually prays for our civilization, a defacto recognition that some civilizations are better than others.
Especially stirring is Roosevelt's phrase: “...we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances.” Today our leaders tip-toe around branding the Arab/Muslim fanatics what they are: Islamofacists. The Democrats have banished the words Islamic Radicals from their vocabulary. If you watched the Democrats debate you must have been struck by this Orwellian misuse of language. It is a sign of the times that so many are more afraid of labeling evil, than evil itself.
This prayer was read to the American people on radio on the evening of D-Day, June 6, 1944, as American, British and Canadian troops fought their way up the beaches of Normandy.
My Fellow Americans:
Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.
And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest — until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.
Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them — help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.
Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.
And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.
And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment — let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.
With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace — a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.
Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen.
Franklin D. Roosevelt - June 6, 1944
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at June 6, 2007 01:57 PM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
FWIW, there's a link to a recording of it over here. Local talker Tom Marr played it this morning. Very impressive.
Posted by: soccerdad ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 6, 2007 03:21 PM
Soccer Dad:
Thanks so much for the wonderful link. You know, if a President gave this speech/prayer today the ACLU would sue him, and the Democrats would be in an uproar over separation of church and state.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 6, 2007 03:52 PM
Come on, now, that's not true. That is, not if the president were a Democrat.
Posted by: ralphie at June 6, 2007 04:05 PM
Ralphie:
As if a Democrat President would give such a speech in modern times.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 6, 2007 04:12 PM
When FDR used the word "crusade" I was thinking similar thoughts. (Yes, I know that he sprinkled reference to "God" throughout, but "crusade" - unlike say "jihad" - has a non-religious meaning.)
Posted by: soccerdad at June 7, 2007 05:24 AM
Soccer Dad:
And Eisenhower's memoirs are titled: "Crusade in Europe." Meanwhile there are a number of Muslim soccer teams here in Southern California called: Jihad.
When questioned by reporters about this, er, provocative name, the coaches and parents reply: "Jihad means inner struggle."
Uh-huh.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 7, 2007 08:28 AM
'When questioned by reporters about this, er, provocative name, the coaches and parents reply: "Jihad means inner struggle."'
Well, that's *one* of its meanings.
Posted by: Kent at June 7, 2007 09:02 AM
Kent:
In the Muslim world, when you say Jihad, it is understood that you are talking about "defending the faith in armed struggle."
This business of "inner struggle" is secondary and used as a public relations fig leaf by apologists for, ahem, jihadists.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 7, 2007 09:27 AM
Hello.
I would consider it a privilege if you would add my blog "The Tygrrrr Express" www.blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com to your list of linked sites if you feel the quality is high.
eric
P.S. I am a Jewish Republican.
Posted by: eric at June 7, 2007 05:38 PM
Eric:
Thanks so much for bringing your site to our attention. We're always pleased to meet Jewish Republicans.
Regarding links: our policy is to track a blog for a while before linking to make sure of consistency, and longevity.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 7, 2007 11:16 PM
Your comments bear more truth than you know. In California, D-Day veterans of the 101st Airborne Division Association authored a resolution to name US 101 in California "The Airborne Memorial Highway." Not a particularly militaristic title, just a recognition of what these men accomplished in 214 days of virtually continuous battle. The California Assembly Appropriations Committee, worried that some of their constituents might not like having "their" freeway named for a military unit, amended the resolution (ACR 102) by inserting a requirement that each of the fourteen counties that the 101 passes through must formally approve the naming. The result: If it happens at all, it's doubtful that any of these veterans will be alive to witness it. An excellent example of what happens when cowardly politicians have an opportunity to do something honorable. In case you missed it, that's the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee, chaired by assemblyman Mark Leno. Can you say "scared?"
Posted by: Jim at May 12, 2008 09:39 PM
Jim:
Thanks for letting us know about this horrible situation. Not only scared, "terrified."
Our fighting men deserve so much better.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 13, 2008 08:09 AM
Thanks for the post...this is a very powerful reminder that our leadership of the past had a strong faith in God. If only this country would turn back to God and call out to Him for help against evil. I'm afraid we may have given up so much of our moral foundation at this point that we have passed the point of no return...
Posted by: Shannon at June 12, 2008 08:41 PM
Shannon:
You're very welcome. I should post this every year.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 13, 2008 08:58 AM