On June 6 of this year, the world commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-DAY Landings in 1944. Allied forces stormed the coast of France and changed the course of history. More than 130,000 troops — mostly from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada — landed on the shores of Normandy to combat Axis forces led by the Germans. There were many deaths on both sides, but over several weeks, the Allies began to turn the tide of the conflict. Germany surrendered less than a year later. D-Day was regarded as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. I was born after World War II, but as a student of history, I find these stories fascinating.
Looking back, one might think that the success of D-Day was a foregone conclusion — it was anything but. As the UK and its allies launched the most daring military operation, there was no certainty of victory, nor could anyone predict and control events leading up to and on D-Day. There were huge logistical challenges to consider plus the timing of the landing. If the invasion had happened later, the invasion forces could have been destroyed in England by the V-1 flying bombs and V-2 rockets, launched from bases in France. Mid-1944 was, with hindsight, the only possible time for success.
Then there was the timing of the landing, which mattered immensely. The landings had to be at dawn, so that the Channel crossing would be in darkness. Some moonlight was needed for the air attacks, but a full moon was dangerous. Weather would play a critical factor.
Beaches had been strewn with half a million obstacles and six-and-a-half million mines. There had to be a half tide coming in to allow the specialized tanks and the engineers to deal with these obstacles.
In late spring and early summer of 1944, the only days left were the first days of May and the first and third weeks of June as possible dates to launch the invasion. The British RAF had to command the skies. This would not have been possible if, in 1943, Hitler had authorized a new Messerschmitt 262 fighter plane. This had a cruise speed of 520 miles per hour – 120 miles per hour faster than any Allied plane. Instead, Hitler wanted a bomber, and it could not be converted. When the new fighter plane was finally produced at the end of the war, it ran rings round Allied fighters and bored holes in bombers. If these planes had been ready by D-Day, the result could have been catastrophic.
In my opinion and to many theologians and historians, prayer played a crucial role in the success of D-Day. World leaders, military leaders and army chaplains prayed with troops. On Sunday, June 4, there was a prayer vigil attended by 400 officers and men of the Second Army HQ, where the final prayer included the following: “As we stand upon the threshold of the greatest adventure in our history, let us now offer to Almighty God all our powers of body, mind and spirit, so that our great endeavor may be thoroughly finished.”
Commanders trusted in God. General Montgomery’s message to be read out to all troops before the invasion included the following: “To us is given the honor of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history; and in the better days that lie ahead men will speak with pride in our doings. We have a great and righteous cause. Let us pray that ‘The Lord Mighty in Battle’ will go forth with our armies, and that His special providence will aid us in the struggle.”
General Eisenhower echoed this: “… The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you … let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
In the evening of D-Day, King George VI broadcast to his people, saying: “I hope that throughout the present crisis of the liberation of Europe there may be offered up earnest, continuous and widespread prayer… At this historic moment surely not one of us is too busy, too young or too old to play a part in a nation-wide, a world-wide vigil or prayer as the great crusade sets forth. If from every place of worship, from home and factory, from men and women of all ages and many races and occupations, our intercessions rise, then, please God, both now and in a future not remote, the predictions of an ancient Psalm may be fulfilled: ‘The Lord will give strength to his people: The Lord will give this people the blessing of peace.’” (Psalm 29:11)
President Roosevelt broadcast to the nation on D-Day asking them to join with him in prayer. His speech was entirely a 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. 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.”
This is by no means an exhaustive account of June 6, 1944. What I consider relevant for us today is how close to failure D-Day was. A lot of things came together at just the right time, each of which was crucial for success. Many of these were factors beyond the control of human planning and organization. But it wasn’t too hard for God!
Edmund Burke has said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing.” There was great evil in the world during World War II (and throughout history). The discovery and liberation of countless concentration camps proved how much evil there was and what hatred can ruin mankind. While we may not be facing the same type of war today, many of us experience spiritual battles in our families, our communities, and our nation.
We serve a God who is prayer-answering. He answered prayers in the past, and he is still answering prayers today. “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
What do you think?
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com.
Tagged: prayer, scripture, world war II
