The Cost of Conquering Faith 

Today is D-Day. It was a day when thousands of men showed the world what conquering faith looks like. On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 armed forces from the United States, Canada, the UK, Norway, and the part of France that was still free, stormed the beaches of Normandy coast in France against our common enemy. Led by Hitler’s armies, it appeared Germany was winning World War II until this day. This was the turning point of the war. It was also the battle that determined the future of the world.

Most of us have seen movies or pictures of the moment the first allied forces hit the beaches of Normandy. The German soldiers were waiting and took the lives of as many as they could in order to retain their control of that landing site. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was in command, and he later admitted to feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. In charge of overseeing the entire mission, he was not convinced it would work, but he knew they had to try. He garnered his faith in the plan and in the determination of the men alongside and following him. The allies were desperate, and this was their best hope to turn the tide. He said to his men, “Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. … I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in  battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!”

We also know the results of the bravery of all those that stormed the beaches. More than 14,000 allied lives were lost; over 8000 were American lives. The Germans suffered likewise. However, the benefit outweighed the risk. The battle began to turn. The troops gained the upper hand in the battle. Paris was freed 2 ½ months later and the war was won before the year was out. 

We also know prayer was involved in this victory. Besides the individual warriors, and family members and friends at home seeking God for favor, President Franklin D.Roosevelt led the nation in prayer that morning. He began, “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. …They need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. 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.”1 Triumph, indeed, they did, and we remain free today.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9; ESV)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • Consider the bravery of our forefathers, some of whom are still living. Imagine if the Church were that bold in the face of our unseen, but very real, enemy.
  •  Ponder the boldness the Lord filled the 120 with on the day of Pentecost. They received power to witness and were made immensely bold when the Holy Spirit filled them!
  • Call for God’s Ekklesia to rise up in holy boldness as we have come through Pentecost in this new era. Ask God to fill our hearts and mouths with passion for the harvest. We are in a holy spiritual contending for the souls of men.
  • Say to the Holy Spirit, “We welcome You! Come with fire! Come with wind! Bring the bones together and let Your exceeding great army rise.”
  • Call for the angel armies to come and help us get this harvest in.
  • Make your own personal declarations of faith and trust to Jesus.

A prayer you can pray:

Lord, we call for the Ekklesia to arise with a boldness that will startle this world. We call for action among the apostolic hubs in our states and across the nation. Cause a Kingdom outpouring. There are those that are moving out and not backing down. They are moving forward for Your cause. Make them successful with the help of Your angelic host. Pour out Your Spirit on this earth! Pour out Your Spirit on Your people. Pour it out on Your Kingdom. Pour it out in Your churches. Pour it out on those plowing the fields of harvest. Pour it out on those that have taken stands for righteousness and justice. Release Your Holy Spirit across the United States of America.

Lord, we say, “We welcome You! Come with fire! Come with wind! Bring the bones together and let Your exceeding great army rise.” Today, we step across a line of demarcation and we will not retreat. We will advance into the era of a new Pentecost. We expect outpouring after outpouring after outpouring. We believe we will see the fire of God come upon pastors and apostles, evangelists, teachers, and prophets. We step across that line today and we will not go back. We are following You, Jesus, wherever You lead us. Amen.

Today’s decree:

We will be strong and courageous, and reap this great harvest of souls!

1 Read President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s entire D-Day speech here.