Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II

I am the risen soldier; though I die
I shall live on and, living, still achieve
My country’s mission Liberty in truth
And truth in Charity. I am aware
God made me for this nobler flight and fight,
A higher course than any I had deemed
Could ever be; and having found my course,
Whether I ground my plane on the home field
Or plunge a flaming banner from the skies,
I shall not turn again to petty things,
Nor change my plan of life till God has sealed
My papers with His seal. And if it be
My blood should mingle reverently with Christ’s,
His Son’s, in this my final missioning,
Shall I not whisper with my dying breath
“Lord, it is sweet to die as it were good
To live, to strive for these United States,
Which, in Your wisdom, you have willed should be
A beacon to the world, a living shrine
Of Liberty and Charity and Peace.”³³⁴

We can only pray that our nation continues to fulfill God’s purpose as a beacon of freedom to the world, and that America will always be worthy of such a prayer.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

—Isaiah 53:5

August 20 Our Love Is of God

Isabel Alden and Maurice Kidder were students together at the University of New Hampshire. They were married in 1935, the year Maurice graduated. He attended a theological seminary in Boston and entered the Army as a chaplain when the war broke out. Separated for three years, Isabel wrote countless letters. On hearing the news of the Normandy invasion, her sense of danger was heightened, as well as her faith in the relationship between God, her husband, and herself. At that fearful time she wrote:

I have thousands of things I could say right now. I am about to take the train for Boston… for I simply feel I have to go someplace where I can worship… We shall be closer than ever, I feel sure. Do not lose courage, and do everything the best possible that you can. I know you will be a tower of strength to your men. I know too that God will be with you, not in the sense of miraculously taking care of your physical body, but taking care of your spirit so that it can withstand whatever comes upon it. I am not alarmed. I am excited. I am relieved with a terrible relief. I am afraid, but I know your fear is infinitely worse than mine. I love you to the utmost that I am capable of, and our love is of God. Be with God, and you are with me, as I am with you.³³⁵

From a dark time in our history Isabel has given us a witness to the power of a sustaining faith. She was confident in her husband’s love because she knew that that love was from God and was blessed by God. With God at the center of a relationship, we can be assured that it will remain strong through every trial. When our love for God is intertwined with our love for another person, no physical event will impact our spiritual unity with that person or with our heavenly Father.

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

—John 17:22–23

August 21 D-Day Prayer for the Troops

During the evening of June 6, 1944, as American, British, and Canadian troops were fighting to establish a beachhead on the coast of Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt went on the radio to lead the nation in a D-Day prayer:

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 so far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join 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 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.³³⁶

Tomorrow, the president’s prayer is continued for the nation.

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

—Psalms 5:45