Friday, July 01, 2005
Are We Really A Better Nation?
Every now and then, that question hits me in the face like a slap with a dead fish. This post from Howdy is one of those times. Howdy reprints a prayer, uttered by FDR during a "Firesdie Chat" on the ocassion of the D-Day invasion, as drawn from Bob Dole's memoir. I just have to reprint it here:
But there is one section there that I think is especially applicable right now -- I going to repeat it
?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 load will 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 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?I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts. 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 men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.My heart is greatly saddened that were a president to utter such a prayer, with such a wide audience today, he would be met with as much derision and controvery as he would support.
Thy will be done, Almighty God, Amen.?
But there is one section there that I think is especially applicable right now -- I going to repeat it
I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.If nothing else, and regardless of politics, I hope you can join me in that prayer. Our troops deserve our prayer support.
