We are taught never to undertake any great or important task without prayer. Life itself is important, and needs prayer. Our lives together are complicated and need constant prayer. Prayer has been a central theme in the United States since before its founding. In 1775, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.” In 1952, President and MW Brother Harry S. Truman signed a joint resolution by Congress declaring an annual National Day of Prayer. In 1988, the law was amended to set the day as the first Thursday of every May and signed by President Reagan. Each year, the President signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, being a Christian organization, has always reinforced the centrality of prayer to our lives. We recognize the essential nature of prayer in the governance of our own lives and our interactions with the world. At a time where political divisions, natural disasters, war, famine, and pestilence are tearing away at the very fabric of society globally, it comes to people of faith to pray ever more earnestly for aid from our Sovereign God. To this end, the Grand Master has authorized us as your Grand Prelates to call for a Grand Encampment Day of Prayer to be held November 11th, 2021. This date was chosen for two reasons. First, it is the Feast of St. Martin, the patron Saint of Chaplains. Second, it is Veteran’s Day, a day where we thank all of those who have served to defend their country. This confluence of two important remembrances on one day helps us focus our reasons for prayer even more. We ask that all Sir Knights, wheresoever dispersed throughout the world, join us in prayer on this Day. Pray often. Pray Fervently. Pray with your hearts and minds and voices. Pray with your actions and your attitudes. Pray together and pray alone. Share this date with all of our Masonic Brethren and ask them to pray. Share the date with those not involved in Masonry and ask them to pray. Share the date with those who may not know Christ, but see the power of prayer in whatever their relationship with God might be.
A Prayer for the Grand Encampment Day of Prayer
Almighty God, architect of the universe who has loved us and guided us, fed us, humbled us, and healed us: We ask your blessings on our Grand Encampment, and on all organizations and groups dedicated to serving you. Bless our Grand Master, Grand Commanders, officers, and every Sir Knight and their families. Give us the strength and bravery to follow you as our forebearers did into any battle, knowing that our arms are not strong enough, but that you can strengthen our hearts sufficiently to follow you and defend the Christian faith. Make us glad to serve you in reality and truth and forgive us when we stray from you and your Word. Make us mindful of you and your authority, taking away all arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts and minds. Bless our land with justice in all its varieties. Watch over the leaders of our country and communities, and those of nations and places throughout the earth, that peace, prosperity, and freedom are seen everywhere, and your name may be glorified without fear. Inspire us to walk uprightly and with mercy in our hearts. Help us to work with integrity and show mercy to those less fortunate. Provide our families with loving hearts and open ears to hear and heal each other’s pain and fear. Let us as parents, children, siblings, friends, and neighbors be examples of your loving kindness and mercy. Bless our teachers that they might instruct and guide our young, remembering that all knowledge comes from you. Bless all who serve you through helping others, whether in healing the mind, body, or spirit, protecting our land, feeding the hungry, communicating with one another, building the environment that keeps us safe, or any other way. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil. Fill our hearts with thankfulness, kindness, and generosity. Protect us from all forms of evil and temptation, from all types of greed and lust that destroy our hearts, relationships, and lives, and from the carelessness and negligence that hurt us and others. Please, O God our Father, strengthen our trust in you. Never let that trust fail; all which we ask in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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