The Miracle at Dunkirk

Saturday in Houston was The Response.  It was the gathering called for by Texas Governor Perry to spend a “Day of Prayer and Fasting for our Nation’s Challenges.”  More than 30,000 Americans gathered there to pray for the Lord to have mercy on our country. They joined together with evangelical Christians gathered at some 1,300 satellite viewing locations in all 50 states.  Dr. James Dobson, one of the speakers, recounted the famous story of the miracle of Dunkirk and declared how we need another Dunkirk.  The following is taken from Joel Rosenberg’s newsletter regarding the event.

The year was 1940. The moment was one of the darkest in the history of the English people. More than 300,000 British troops suddenly found themselves pinned down in northern France. Nazi forces were bearing down on them. The Brits didn’t have enough ammunition or supplies. At any moment, Hitler’s forces would launch a ferocious attack. The Brits faced imminent annihilation.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his advisors thought at best the navy could rescue 20,000 to 30,000 before it was too late. Others feared even that might not be possible. And the stakes couldn’t have been higher. If so many forces were wiped out, Hitler and the Nazis would invade the British Isles — and win.

So the King of England called for a national day of prayer. That Sunday, an estimated 70 percent of the British people showed up at churches all over the country. They begged for the Lord’s mercy on their fathers and sons, and for their national survival. And the Lord heard those heartfelt prayers and responded with what became known as “the miracle at Dunkirk.”

Hitler inexplicably delayed giving his generals the order to finish off the Brits. A great storm over Germany prevented Nazi planes from being able to take off. The British people quickly assembled some 900 fishing boats, yachts, trawlers, and other private and government vessels, and began ferrying the troops off the French beaches and back to England a few at a time. By the grace of God, nearly a third of a million souls were saved as a result, as was the British nation.

I am reminded of 1 Chronicles 5:20.  The children of Israel were in a battle, and God gave them victory, “…because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.” God answers prayer!