Prayer In An Hour of Agony

For Ukraine and for the world

On Tuesday, June 6, 1944, Western Allies began the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy. It was the decisive battle that would begin the ending phase of WW2.

One thing was clear to the Allied commanders who led the effort: whether it succeeded or failed, more men would die in this single military operation than in any other in history. During the 85 days that the battle raged, people were well aware of the horror that was occurring. Those wishing fervently for the defeat of Hitler could only watch, and wait, and pray.

Girl praying for Ukraine at a church in Edinburgh

Today we watch, and wait, and pray for the incredibly brave Ukrainians now fighting off the Russian invasion on their soil. The world does not support this war. Indications are that many, many Russians do not support this war. Conscripted Russian soldiers - many of whom were apparently not even told where they were going - are as much victims of this insanity as are the Ukrainians. It is Putin’s war, and a violent transgression against the deepest bonds that have joined the Ukrainian and Russian peoples for centuries.

The war is being fought on many fronts, political and economic and well as military. One front that many are involved in, including myself, is prayer.

This morning I remembered having once read the prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt gave when announcing to the people of the United States that D-Day had begun. Many of his words apply now to the Ukrainians, speaking not only to their predicament - as soldiers, civilians, and refugees - but also to the helplessness and heartbreak we feel bearing witness to it.

Roosevelt’s words spoke to the heart that day in 1944, and they speak to the heart today.

And so, in this poignant hour, he said, 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. 

No matter what words we use, no matter at what time of day, let’s pray without ceasing for the people of Ukraine and the people of the world. May righteousness prevail.

Dear God,

Please help Ukraine

in this hour of their agony.

Send angels to minister unto them

and their horror be no more.

Amen.