“FDR D-Day Prayer/Broadcast to Nation” Speech Summary, Text, & Analysis

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer and Broadcast to the Nation rallied the American people during World War II. Many claim that the broadcast was an example of what true leadership is. Below is the historic “FDR D-Day Prayer/Broadcast to Nation” Speech Summary, Text, & Analysis.

“FDR D-Day Prayer/Broadcast to Nation” Speech Summary

We ran FDR’s speech through Yoodli, the free AI powered speech coaching platform. You can get started at www.yoodli.ai and view results for FDR here. Here’s a summary of his speech:

• The speaker is asking Americans to join them in prayer to support the armed forces currently engaged in a mighty endeavor to preserve our republic, our religion, and our civilization.
• The speaker is asking the nation to rededicate themselves in faith during this time of great sacrifice, and to devote themselves to consistent prayer.
• The speaker is asking for aid to strengthen the efforts of the armed forces, and to stay devoted to the cause of ending conquest, leading to justice, tolerance, and goodwill among all people.
• The speaker is asking for faith in our united crusade, and to help us to conquer the ‘apostles of greed and racial arrogance.’
• The speaker is asking for a peace invulnerable to temporary matters and unworthy man, allowing all people to live in freedom.

“FDR D-Day Prayer/Broadcast to Nation” Speech Text

The Yoodli AI-powered speech coach provides this “FDR D-Day Prayer/Broadcast to Nation” speech text:

"My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far. 

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer: 

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. 

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. 

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. 

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war. 

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. 

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas — whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them–help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. 

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts. 

Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces. 

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. 

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose. 

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. 

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen."

“FDR D-Day Prayer/Broadcast to Nation” Speech Analysis

As a prayer and broadcast, FDR’s D-Day speech had a solemn and reverent speaking style. We ran this speech through Yoodli’s AI-powered speech coach, and got back an analysis on various aspects of word choice and delivery. You can view the full results here.

Word Choice

FDR’s D-Day prayer had simple, powerful, and evocative language. Yoodli’s analysis reflects this, showing very few filler words and very few weak words (just 1%). It also highlights his top key words as faith. This is fitting given the religious aspect of the prayer.

Delivery

In the Delivery category, Yoodli provides scores on Centering, Pacing, Pauses, and Eye Contact. The highlight metric to look at here is pace. FDR spoke in very relaxed manner, at about 92 words per minute. This is expected, as a prayer is generally a slow and patient speech.

Wrapping Up

If you like this “FDR D-Day Prayer/Broadcast to Nation” speech summary, text, and quick analysis, sign up to Yoodli for free and see how you can get the same kind of feedback on any speech you upload or record. It’s a great way to practice your own public speaking skills as you learn to inspire your audience, just as FDR did!