What may be less well remembered is the spiritual battle, one of prayer, waged on that same day by a large segment of the U.S. population. An essay by Metaxis and Morse recalls the occasion:<\/p>\n
as word of the assault trickled out, Americans began to pray. Stores closed, and prayer services were swiftly organized in small towns and big cities. As we remember the legacy of our heroic grandparents and great-grandparents, whose blood liberated a captive Europe, we might also remember the faith that drove large swaths of our country to its knees before God. Fortunately for humanity, their prayers were answered.<\/p>\n
\nPhotographs taken on June 6 show just how widespread these prayers were. One picture shows a sign in the window of a novelty button shop reading, \u201cSorry, no covered buttons today. We are praying for the success of the invasion.\u201d A sign in front of a church reads, \u201cCome in and pray for Allied victory: Hourly intercessions on the hour.\u201d Another photo shows Americans in a synagogue, bowing their heads in prayer. At a noon Mass, we see men and women on their knees, fervently praying.
\nNew York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia took to the airwaves, urging citizens to \u201csend forth [their] prayers to Almighty God . . . to bring total victory . . . in [this] great and valiant struggle . . .\u201d
\nIn Washington, President Roosevelt, who had sons in uniform, urged Americans to join him in prayer for all the nation\u2019s sons: \u201cWith Thy blessing,\u201d he prayed, \u201cWe shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n