Welcome to Stories from the 28th Division Archives. I am Dr. Walter Zapotoczny. While working as the 28th Division Command Historian, I discovered stories in the archives that were not in the history books. In this episode, we are going to take a look at a prayer created for use on D-Day, June 6, 1944. As the 28th Division along with other American divisions trained in England for the invasion of continental Europe, Bishop Henry St. George Tucker, president of the Federal Council of Churches in America issued an invasion prayer. The prayer was made public as the Association of Army and Navy Wives requested that all churches of all denominations remain open for a prayer when the invasion is made known. The prayer reads:

Almighty and most merciful God, Father of all mankind. Lover of every life, hear, we beseech Thee, the cry of thy children in this dark hour of conflict and danger.

Thou hast been the refuge and strength, in all generations, of those who put their trust in Thee. May it please Thee this day to draw to Thyself the hearts of those who struggle and endure to the uttermost. Have mercy on them and suffer not their faith in Thee to fall. Guide and protect them by Thy light and strength that they may be kept from evil.

May Thy comfort be sufficient for all who suffer pain or who wait in the agony of uncertainty.

O righteous and omnipotent God, who, in their tragedies and conflicts, judgest the hearts of men and the purposes of nations, enter into this struggle with Thy transforming power, that out of its anguish there may come a victory of righteousness. May there arise a new order which shall endure because in it Thy will shall be done in earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us and cleanse us, as well as those who strive against us, that we may be fit instruments of Thy purposes.

Unto Thy most gracious keeping we commend our loved ones and ourselves, ascribing unto Thee all praise and glory, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

The 28th Division was not selected for the June 6th landing but came ashore on Omaha Beach on July 22nd.

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So, until next time, Roll On.