Prayer – Imploring the Aid of Deity
The rituals of Freemasonry from beginning to end, and in all the lectures, teach the need of the Aid of Deity in every enterprise of the Order and in the lives of individual members. The mysteries and rites of Masonry are founded in the main upon the construction of Solomon's Temple; David in preparing the materials for the building of the Temple and Solomon in its erection relied heavily upon Divine aid.
David prayed for Solomon in anticipation of the building of the Temple… 1 Kings 3:9 – 1 Chronicles 29:19
Example of Jacob's prayer… Genesis 32:24-32
Instructions on how to pray… Matthew 6:15-16
Answers to prayers promised… Isaiah 65:24
Biblical References
1 Kings 3:9
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
1 Chronicles 29:19
And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
Genesis 32:24-32
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
Matthew 6:15-16
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Isaiah 65:24
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
~~ooOoo~~
This page is adapted from the Glossary at Phoenixmasonry — Used with permission.
