Eisenhower had a bad experience in his youth with his Quaker father. He found that his dad was a constant liar and somewhat lazy in trying to provide for his large family. He moved his wife and children from pillar to post and was not diligent in work. While this soured Dwight on “religion,” it did not make him bitter toward the Lord.
Dwight graduated from West Point but did not see action overseas during World War I. This lack of combat experience made him think his career would go nowhere. But when World War II began, he was moved up the ranks fairly quickly because of his organizational skills. He was place in supreme command over all of the invading forces who were to attack the Germans in France by sea. Operation Overlord, or D-day, would begin on June 6, 1944. Thousands and thousands of troops would hit the beaches with a prediction that many would die in the initial assault. In fact there was even doubt that the invasion would be successful. If the Germans had stopped the attack, victory would take many more years to accomplish.
Because of the unknown, Eisenhower was prepared to resign from leadership if the invasion failed. He kept in his pocket a letter of recognition to be submitted to President Theodore Roosevelt if all did not go well. But he first felt it was important to give a public prayer that would be broadcast to the free world as the invasion began, invoking God’s blessings on this critical hour. Eisenhower wrote it himself.
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, … to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true. … Some will never return. … Help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. … With Thy blessings we shall prevail over unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed. … Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.
Though the prayer was simple it came from a heart of a humble leader who knew how trying the hour would be. In a certain sense Eisenhower was frightened as never before in his important and lofty position. He meant every word of this appeal to the Lord above!
