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 Have you ever read the history of the Navajo code talkers in WWII?  It is a remarkable part of our nation’s history.   In World War II, the military was desperately searching for a code that the Japanese would not be able to break.   It was vital that all parts of the military be able to communicate troop movement, strategies, and war tactics without the enemy’s knowledge.  During that time, the son of a missionary to the Navajo tribe, one of the few people who knew the unwritten language of the Navajo, suggested using the Navajo language.   The language is complex with its vast tonal qualities and syntax and there are variations of dialects.  The beauty of the Navajo language was that it had no alphabet and no symbols and was only spoken by a small tribe in the American Southwest.  It was the perfect communication tool. No part of the code was every written down but had to be memorized. 

In the first 48 hours of the battle of Iwo Jimo, 800 transmissions were sent out with perfect accuracy.  According to www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-2.htm  “ Navajo code talkers took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the from 1942 to 1945. They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine Raider battalions and Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in their native language a code that the Japanese never broke. Once a Navajo code talker completed his training, he was sent to a Marine unit deployed in the Pacific theater. The code talkers' primary job was to talk, transmitting information on tactics and troop movements, orders and other vital battlefield communications over telephones and radios. They also acted as messengers, and performed general Marine duties.”

I was struck by the seeming simplicity, yet invaluable, nature of their duty – “The code talkers’ primary job was to talk.”  I am wondering if I can boil my duty as a Christ follower down to -  my primary job is to pray.  Because the code talkers talked thousands of lives were saved, battles were won, the enemies’ movements were countered and defeated, and they helped to bring the war to an end.   If I would spend more time praying would I see more lives saved, more battles won, the enemy defeated, and help to usher in the return of my Lord?   In one article I read that the code talkers were referred to as living codes.  I wonder how our world would be affected if we were living prayer code talkers.  What if I became living prayer?

  1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)   Never stop praying.

Even after the war, the code was kept a military secret and those Navajo who had been instrumental in saving thousands of lives remained silent.  It was not until 60 years later in 2001 that Congressional Medals of Honor were given out.  I truly believe that only heaven will reveal those who were hidden away in their prayer closets transmitting God’s instructions from heaven to earth helping to chart the course of history.  They are living code talkers. 

Today is the National Day of Prayer and if there was ever a time our world needed prayer, it is today.  My prayer is that we will all take our place in the battle and become living code talkers.