March, 1996
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN FREEMASONRY
by Melvyn Friendly, PM
All Masonic degrees and ceremonies invoke prayer and guidance from the "Great Architect of the Universe." Commencing with the earliest Gothic Manuscripts or "Old Charges'', the Regius Manuscript of 1390 A.D., all Masonic Lodge activities were begun with a Prayer of Invocation. Masons consider Prayer the first "benefit" of Freemasonry and Initiates are required to profess a belief in the Creator as the Maker and Sovereign over us all. Masons are taught not to start any enterprise without first invoking the Guidance of Deity. The Initiate is taught that there is no place in Freemasonry for the atheist or agnostic and Belief in deity is a prerequisite to Masonic affiliation. What is Prayer? It has been described as a Petition or solemn and humble request to God for his Blessing or in Thanksgiving. It is a communication between man and God and the means by which man can coordinate his mind with that of the Universe. It is focused on high moral elements and spiritual energy. It brings together the mind of man and the divine Spirit giving confidence to the suppliant that his petition for Divine Guidance will be granted. It creates reason and logical thinking within the mind of the suppliant. Ancient Hebrews exercised a "dialogue" with Jehovah whose "ineffable name" could be pronounced only by letters or syllables.
ln the lnitiatory Degree the candidate is asked "ln Whom do you put your trust?" In reply the Candidate begins a way of life based on the firm foundation of belief in the One True God. Initially Christian in character, Freemasonry early allowed each of its votaries to worship the God he reveres under the universal name of the Great Architect of the Universe. The universality of Freemasonry is best expressed in its acceptance of a religion as that "in which all good men agree''.
The pioneer masonic leaders were sincere men of faith and dedicated our Fraternity to the moral and spiritual improvement of mankind. The ceremonies they inaugurated contained moral lessons intended to enhance the spiritual improvement of candidates and brethren. One of the Masonic Great Principles is "Truth" and in the search for Truth to discover the Knowledge of God's Teachings. The second principle of ''Charity" is stressed in the Initiatory Degree and declared a Virtue of Holy Significance. The newly installed Master invokes the assistance of the Great Architect for the third Principle of "Wisdom" to be worthy of the trust reposed in him by the Lodge brethren. Masons use Prayer in the consecration of a Lodge, laying a cornerstone for a public or religious edifice, opening Lodge and Grand Lodge Communications, closing such meetings, guidance of Candidates for Degrees, celebration of anniversaries, as part of funeral services and in family or community gatherings.
Masonic Lodges should give greater emphasis to the dependence of the Craft on deity and make the public aware of the extent Masons use Prayer in our Ceremonies. The use of Scripture illustrates the fact that God-fearing men practice our gentle craft. Our ritual demonstrates the extent to which Freemasonry places its dependence on God and the efficacy of prayer. Masons use prayer in their daily lives and invite members of the family and friends to join in our love and care for the aged, afflicted or distressed. The requirement of prayer in our Masonic Ritual does not make Freemasonry a religion. The Grand Lodge of Oregon in its Code and Manual states that Freemasonry is religious and is termed "religion's handmaiden" but is not a religion. Church affiliation is not a prerequisite for Masonic membership. Freemasonry has no religious dogma and does not affiliate with any religious creed or organization. It seeks to unify men of various sects, creeds and opinions within its ranks. No Mason can consciously substitute his belief and loyalty to the Fraternity for the religion of his choice. He cannot say that "Masonry is my religion" because an examination of the nature of Freemasonry reveals that it does not have the characteristics of religion.
Freemasonry's attitude toward things spiritual is an important part of the fabric of the Fraternity belief in a Supreme Being and in a future life. Masons believe in the reincarnation of the Soul as removed from the mortal body at death. Some even believe in the resurrection of the body at a distant judgment day. Freemasons are bound by the "eternal truths"contained in the Volume of Sacred Laws, which may not necessarily be Christian Scriptures, and as a Candidate is bound by an obligation taken on such Book. The Sacred Truths contained in the Volume of Sacred Laws govern the rules for his life and conduct. References in the Rituals of the Masonic Degrees to the omnipotence of Deity impresses upon the Candidates the power of prayer in Masonic work. The restriction on Masons of "refraining from discussion on religious topics" covers the dogmas of religious beliefs, creeds and sects. The Masonic spirit of toleration dwells on the universality of all religions and espouses only the Love of God as the Father of all mankind and in the brotherhood of all mankind, both Masonic and non-Masonic.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Transactions of United Masters Lodge No. 167 AF&AM, Auckland, New Zealand March and April 1980: The Inaugural Address of V.W. Bro. Walter T. Cheeseman upon being installed on October 25, 1979, as Master of the Lodge & Discussion thereon.
"The benefit of Prayer" Introduction: Rev. William A.M. Grant, Grand Chaplain Masonic Province of Essex, England (l982)
"The Freemason at work" by Harry Carr (1977), 30-33 "The sign of prayer"
"Harry Carr's World of Freemasonry" (l983), 72-103 ''Lodge Mother Kilwinning, No. O"
"The Collected Prestonian Lectures'' Bro. Lewis Edwards "Freemasonry, Ritual & Ceremonial" (1936), 225.
Carr, Harry. The Freemason at Work. "The sign of Prayer." ----:----- 1977, 30 - 33.
Carr, Harry. World of Freemasonry. "Lodge Mother Kilwinning, No. 0." ----:---- 1983
Cheeseman, Walter T. "Inaugural Address." Auckland, NZ: Transactions of United Masters Lodge No. 167 AF&AM. March/April 1980
Edwards, Lewis. "Freemasonry, Ritual & Ceremonial." The Collected Prestonian Lectures. 1936, 225.
Papers of Research \ March, 1996