Carolyn Reeves

Retired science teacher and co-author of a series of elementary science textbooks (New Leaf Press).

April 2009 – Over the past several years, there has been a stunning increase in legal and legislative support for such things as abortion, homosexual marriage and pornography, while support for parental and Christian rights has waned. I have often wondered how much longer this could continue.

With a new president and new lawmakers in place for the 2009 Congress, it seemed inevitable that a host of bills would quickly pass over the objections of citizens who have fought tenaciously for life and marriage issues. For several years, Christians have successfully opposed the passage of such legislation as the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), new versions of hate crime laws, repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), repeal of the 1993 law that bans openly homosexual men and women from serving in the military, the “Fairness Doctrine,” ratification of several radical international treaties, and relaxing of federal regulations concerning gambling and pornography.

Entering this new era, it seemed clear that all of these and more could pass within weeks of the start of the new Congress. Indeed, it began to happen immediately with President Barack Obama’s executive orders. Furthermore, anticipated liberal Supreme Court appointments will only strengthen the liberal agenda.

I thought back to the many times in Biblical history when governments oppressed God’s people and were rolled back as God’s people prayed. I was reminded of the many churches throughout the world that are flourishing in countries where true churches and committed Christians are persecuted.

Somehow, I knew that God was still sovereign in the midst of this situation, but I was having trouble understanding the approaching ultra-liberal shift.

At one of my low points, a friend called and reminded me of the prayers that undergirded the battle of Dunkirk during World War II. With the conviction of a seasoned prayer warrior, she added, “Prayer is the highest work of the Christian and the results of it are staggering.” For those who may be discouraged over the prospects of the future, let me remind you of this amazing event.

Catastrophe for Allied forces
It was May 1940. The prime minister of Britain, Neville Chamberlain, had just resigned and Winston Churchill had become his replacement. Adolph Hitler’s army had already invaded and conquered Poland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg and Belgium. The French Army, along with large numbers of English soldiers, bravely tried to stop the oncoming enemy army, but after 40 days of fighting, the Allied forces were completely routed. They retreated as far as the English Channel.

Close to 500,000 British and French troops found themselves trapped in a tiny coastal enclave known as Dunkirk, with the advancing German army only 15 miles away and German air planes already bombing Dunkirk. There seemed to be no hope for the men as they sent out desperate calls for help. They were either going to be killed or imprisoned in a matter of days. Even the military leaders thought little could be done to rescue more than a few thousand men. In that seemingly impossible situation, the churches in Britain called for a day of prayer to be held on Sunday, May 26. The call went out on May 23 from various political leaders, newspapers, and King George VI. The Archbishop of Canterbury reversed an earlier opposition to a day of prayer and joined in calling the people of Britain to a time of united prayer. Churches were filled on that Sunday as people from all walks of life sought God for divine intervention to protect and save their friends, loved ones and country.

Meanwhile, on May 24, one day after the call for a national day of prayer, Hitler ignored the advice of many of his generals and ordered his armies to hold their positions while Dunkirk was bombed and shelled from the air and from a distance. Thunderstorms and thick fog made it difficult for the planes to fly or see, but Hitler’s army remained in place until early June.

Call for small-boat rescue
On the evening of the national day of prayer, an order was issued for boats of all sizes and shapes to cross the English Channel and rescue as many men as possible. Naval ships couldn’t get close to the beaches for rescue, so small boats were critical in transporting men to the larger ships – or all the way to British shores.

Accepting the challenge took tremendous courage for the boat operators. They knew the waters of the English Channel could be extremely dangerous for small boats, and they knew German bombs could sink them. Above all, they knew that not taking action at this point in history would have devastating consequences, so they chose to take the risks. In all, 336,000 men were rescued with little boats and yachts alike, as the rescuers made numerous trips back and forth across the English Channel.

One might have thought that there were strong Christian leaders and voices urging people to resist Hitler’s evil plans at this point. The truth is that America was still trying hard to stay “neutral” and did virtually nothing to help. The U.S. Ambassador to Britain detested Churchill and many of his policies. A former prime minster of Britain admired Hitler and thought Britain had no chance of winning a war against him. Many British women were infatuated with Hitler and thought things would be all right under his type of government.

Some political leaders like Chamberlain naively wanted to make appeasement the basis for dealing with Hitler, in hopes that concessions would soften Hitler’s demands. Many citizens of Britain thought it would be best to surrender if Hitler threatened to invade their country.

The new prime minister, Churchill, had the good sense to see how disastrous it would be if Hitler took over their country, but he was not an openly religious man and had many faults. Still, God responded to the prayers of His people and used imperfect people to affect the outcome of the rescue. And He can still do that today.

Challenge for Christian citizens
The temptation for a Christian who wants to defend life, marriage and morals is to look at all the powers seeking to undermine the Judeo-Christian foundations of our nation today and think, “This is too much. I can’t stop the enemy’s advances or change anything with prayer, much less with a phone call, letter or visit.” What if the people crossing the English Channel in their little boats had taken this position? 

One or two boats wouldn’t have had much impact, but thousands of boats courageously going back and forth did ultimately defeat their enemy by saving an army in full retreat and allowing them to fight another day.

American Family Association and many other faithful Christian groups provide information about our cultural and spiritual battlegrounds. There is no excuse for not knowing the issues.  As Christians we can pray knowledgeably. We can take actions whenever we see a need, refusing to be discouraged by the obstacles. 

Some things may require great courage and sacrifice. Some things may only require a little inconvenience. Although some battles are won by a single great event, others are won by an army of faithful men and women who are determined to follow Christ.

What can we learn from the Dunkirk evacuation? Three things: 1) Pray fervently and faithfully; 2) Test our motives – be sure they’re Christ-centered; and 3) Be willing to sail our own little boats of talents and resources.

We are our nation’s best hope. An armada of small-boat doers and pray-ers, powered by the winds of the Holy Spirit, might yet rescue those in danger and restore moral sanity in our culture.    

Carolyn Reeves, Ed.D., a retired science teacher, lives with her husband, Jim, in Oxford, Mississippi. She is currently co-authoring a series of elementary science textbooks (New Leaf Press) that incorporate good science and Christian apologetics.

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Simple to organize local prayer event
Make plans to organize or participate in a Meet at City Hall event in your town or community May 7, National Day of Prayer. Simply publicize, invite and gather together with other Christians to pray for our nation from 12:20 to 12:40 p.m. at city hall, a city park or the courthouse.

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National Day of Prayer, May 7
I’m sure you agree that this is a critical time in the history of the United States. We’re facing a number of grave challenges: economic pressures, the ongoing threat of terrorism, and the unraveling of our culture’s moral fabric have created a climate of fear and uncertainty. But we must not despair. Thankfully, we can be confident that when we come to God in humble prayer, He hears us and stands ready to respond to our cries for help. Just as our forefathers turned to the Almighty for guidance and safekeeping, we, too, need His divine intervention as we deal with the trials of our day.

Won’t you join me Thursday, May 7, for the 58th annual National Day of Prayer? Millions of our fellow Americans will unite from coast to coast to repent of our individual and corporate sins, acknowledge God’s sovereignty, and ask for His healing and protection upon our land. 

Our theme, “Prayer … America’s Hope,” is based on  Psalm 33:22: “May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” I hope you’ll pause with me on May 7 as we unite our voices in prayer and look to the future with hope. For more information visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org. Thank you, and may God Bless America.

Shirley Dobson, chairman
National Day of Prayer Task Force
www.nationaldayofprayer.org, 719-531-3379