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| Normandy Landings |
D-Day
- the Normandy Landings -
June 6, 1944
D-Day marked the start of the allied invasion into France, known as Operation Overlord, during World War Two. Since the date had not been determined until its final approval, D-Day was the date used for planning purposes. But the invasion plans all came together, commencing on June 6, 1944 ... and the rest is history.
My father-in-law was part of the overall invasion, landing a few days after D-Day. Since then much has been written about this critical time in the 20th century. And some blockbuster movies have been made to play out the drama of the invasion. (The Longest Day, Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, to mention a few.)
For a brief history on D-Day, feel free to check out a few of the resources below:
* National D-Day Memorial
* D-Day - June 6, 1944 - the United States Army
But before D-Day commenced, General Eisenhower addressed the troops, then made a request for prayer ...
in this message shown in the clip below:
" ... The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!
"I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
"Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
(Full text can be found here: General Eisenhower's Message - D-Day - June 6, 1944 - the United States Army)
If prayer was ever needed, it was needed then ...
As D-Day began and President Franklin Roosevelt broadcast his prayer to the American people:
"Thy will be done, Almighty God.
"Amen."
And prayer is needed even more today because ...
The enemy to freedom is not so overt or defined. The real enemy is spiritual and takes on many forms and contrives many plans to enslave and destroy us. We need wisdom to discern ...
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12
(NIV)
And we - like soldiers - need special weapons to fight this enemy and get the victory:
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:13-18
(NIV)
And may we rely on the help of God as our leaders and our nation had done on D-Day. May this D-Day anniversary be a turning point.
So ....
Keep praying for America
for ...
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord ...
Psalm 33:12
(NIV)
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Previous post in this series:
Pray4America (part 1) - National Day of Prayer (2012)
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Posts on World War Two:
America's Story (part 4) - Christmas 1944, when we said NUTS to the enemy (2011)
America's Story (part 3) - Over There - 1917, 1941 (2011)
A kiss immortalized in August 14, 1945 (2010)
Remembering D-Day - June 6, 1944 (2010)
Pearl Harbor Day, 1941 - World War Two Soldiers Remembered (2009)
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Photo from Wikipedia Commons: Normandy Landings
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