PPrayer: The Lifesaver

A Tribute to PFC Desmond T. Doss

The All-in-One Bible Reference Guide opens its section on prayer with this statement: “In the Bible prayer is the spiritual response (spoken or unspoken) to God, who is known not merely to exist but to have revealed himself and to have invited his creatures into communion with himself.” (Prayer, page 489).  I have learned from one of my mentors in the faith that, “prayer is a privileged communication between God and His elected.”  This edition of Saturday’s Notes Publishing was prompted by a long-standing note on my iPhone pad that was a quote from a man who spoke words of wisdom to his superior officer in the heat of battle in W. W. II on Okinawa.  For now, here’s his quote: “I believe prayer is the best lifesaver there is.”

The use of the word lifesaver is interesting as it relates to prayer. Normally, we think of a lifesaver as a circular, water-buoyant device intended to save a potentially drowning person. But that’s exactly what prayer is! Referring back to my book on Psalms (Reflection: Journey though the Psalms), I refer to many of the 150 chapters, many written by king David, that focus on prayer.  Listen to David’s pleas. “Be merciful to me and hear my prayer,” (4:1); “the LORD accepts my prayer,” (6:9); and “Give ear to my prayer,” (17:1).  Later in the New Testament (“N. T.”), Jesus’ brother says, “the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV).  And so it goes!

Let’s take a look at the man, Desmond T. Doss. How I made a generic comment into my iPhone about his marvelous statement is beyond my recall. But what a hero and man of faith he was!  Desmond was born into a Christian Seventh Day Adventist family and raised in the faith. Regardless of his conscientious objection to war, he enlisted into the U. S. Army but refused to carry a weapon. Thus, he was assigned to the medic corps. Paradoxically, he could have received a deferment as a shipbuilder in Virginia but chose to refuse and join the U. S. Army in W. W. II.

He was eventually assigned to the Pacific Theatre of W. W. II in Guam and the Philippines. His heroics were not achieved with a rifle, but with prayer and God as his shield. On the morning of April 29, 1945, PFC Doss made this statement to his Lieutenant Goronto when the order to attack was received. The balance of his statement said, “…the men should really pray before going up.” Yes, this “up” was defined as ascending a 400-foot-high escarpment in the Battle of Okinawa. The troops encountered heavy fire from artillery, mortar, and machine guns. Even with 75 casualties, PFC Doss refused to seek cover and remained with the many stricken soldiers. He carried many one by one to the edge of the escarpment. Later in the battle, he too was exposed to heavy fire and wounded himself from an exploding grenade. He refused attention to his needs until more critically wounded men were attended to. At one point, he tied a rifle shaft to his wounded leg and crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station. His wounds were not only acute but chronic as he suffered long-term arm, lung, and other damage. The exact number of saved individuals is not known but is in the range of 50 – 100.

This little known private in the U. S. Army is forever honored by his various medals. He was awarded the Purple Heart with two oak-leaf clusters; two Bronze Stars (with “V” device) for actions in Guan and the Philippines; and the Medal of Honor, among others.

Private Doss’ comment to his lieutenant is also applicable to you and me today.  Yes, prayer is the best lifesaver. From the Old Testament (“O.T.”) to N. T. writers and Jesus himself, prayer is effective and can allow you and me to climb our 400-foot escarpments (so to speak) without fear and trembling. Yes, Jesus himself prayed in earnest to His heavenly Father about his road to Calvary. St. Paul reminds his N. T. churches that they should go to their LORD in prayer “without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16ff).

Epilogue: As a resident in the Indianapolis area, we have the privilege of having a Medal of Honor memorial.  The Indiana War Memorial was dedicated to the Medal of Honor honorees at White River State Park in May 1999.  The memorial is located on the banks of the Canal in the near-downtown area.  The memorial is depicted in 15 walls that reflect the 3,436 recipients as of the dedication. While I have visited this site, I cannot tell you that I remember this very memorable man. But God knows them all! Yes, He remembers all those who communicate with Him in faith and expect deliverance from their infirmities.  While PFC Doss developed tuberculosis and then became deaf from an overdose of medications, his faith never waivered nor did his time in prayer to his LORD and Savior.  I am a veteran of the U. S. Army but did not serve in combat. But as Christians, we are in combat with the Evil One every day and can only deter him in faith and with our weapon of prayer.

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand

GHR