America Must Pray
By Dr. Mal Couch
Public prayer, spiritual publications of poems and music, have always been a part of America, until recently. There are forces now trying to silence the Christian spiritual heritage of open and free expression to our God that made this nation great.
Each week I’ll add some historical tidbits as how Christian expression and public prayer was a vital part of our nation’s blessing. We may not fully know of the spiritual state of all the men we examine, but we do know none of them were fearful of prayers to the God of the Bible in the public setting.
If you are a pastor or Sunday school teacher, please print off these little bits of our history and share them with others.
Charles E. Wilson
Charles E. Wilson, president of General Motors, was in Union Station in Washington, D.C. on the very day of the World War II invasion of Europe began, June 6, 1944, D-day. It had just been announced on the radio that the invasion was beginning. At first the station was filled with the noise of people rushing about, the commuter trains were pouring into the station putting out an enormous hubbub of sounds and energy. But then the buzz of whispers and excitement on the train concourse went from one end of the station to the other as people said, "The invasion's begun, they've landed in Normandy, France."
As Wilson watched, it was first a woman who dropped to her knees right there in the middle of the station and folded her hands. Then a man nearby fell to his knees. Then another and another. People went down with folded hands leaning on the hard wooden benches in the main lobby. Wilson asked, what are they praying for, or who? "For Jim, George, or just for peace?" Perhaps for no reason at all, except that in the hush of the moment we all felt the need to pray!
In a few minutes everyone got up off the floor. Each went on his or her own way. The commitment was personal, private, with no embarrassment or apology expressed.
Wilson reflected later, "Union Station will always have a special meaning: we were there on the day the railroad station in Washington, D.C. became a house of prayer!"
What is sad is to think of America today. It is doubtful if any such expression of public worship and humility could ever take place again. To find hundreds and hundreds of Christians in the same public place who were willing to express their thoughts to God, would almost be impossible! One has to conclude that America then was far more Christian than today! And no one felt guilty at that hour to speak forth the thoughts of their hearts to the Lord!