Two Steps From Hell: Heart of Courage (FDR D-Day Prayer)

YouTube: Wagonburner5000 ^ | February 1, 2016 | PittsburghAfterDark

[PittsburghAfterDark]

As this nation embraces our quadrennial presidential election cycle we should be reminded of the incredible heroism of our nation's ancestors. We should be grateful for their courage, their sacrifice, their valor and never forget their memories. The men and women who have left behind blood, sweat, tears, lives and limbs so we may continue to embark on the great American experiment.

Some may say our nation's best days are behind us. Our 18 year olds of yesterday that stormed the beaches of Normandy, Iwo Jima and defeated empires that spanned continents and the globe have been replaced by crybullies that need safe spaces, segregated meetings, have no work ethic and a confused sense of self in gender, identity and purpose.

Do not believe it. For a great idea, once put upon the Earth, will always continue to be a great idea. Those that disparage greatness have none to offer of their own. The solution to men's struggles have always been with the individual and the protection of the greatest minority of them all, the individual.

It is great individuals that have always moved mankind forward. It is the greatness of the individual that has moved humankind from that of a hunter gatherer existence, through the bronze age to the dawn of the information age.

It will always be the individual in independent words, thoughts and deeds that nurtures, protects and advances mankind. It is now that individual acts of patriotism, self-sacrifice and reliance may be most needed.

From the cornfields of Iowa, frigid New England postcard villages to the palmetto state our states in the coming weeks will bring forth the future leader of this Republic. May we never have to say we wish we did more.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

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 good will 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 keenness 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 arrogancies. 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.