The Great Invocation
The Great Invocation was written in 1945, and the traditional version uses the accepted gendered language of that time:
From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.From the center where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men,
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.From the center which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out.
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.
The following is a version with language that is intended to be more inclusive:
From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into human minds.
Let Light descend to Earth.From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into human hearts.
May Christ return to Earth.From the center where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide our little human wills,
The purpose that the Masters know and serve.From the center that we call humanity
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.Let Light and Love and Power advance the Plan on Earth.
The beauty and strength of this Invocation lie in its simplicity. It expresses certain central truths that a spiritual person innately and normally accepts:
- The truth of the existence of a basic Intelligence to Whom we give the name of God.
- The truth that, behind all outer seeming, the motivating power of the universe is Love.
- The truth that a great Individuality came to Earth, called by Christians the Christ, and embodied that love so that we could understand.
- The truth that both love and intelligence are effects of what is called the Will of God.
- The self-evident truth that only through humanity itself can the divine Plan work out.
The urgent need for a better world is framed in this threefold invocation. It is a cry for Light upon our way and for light to flow into the dark places of the Earth. It is a cry for more Love in the world, more sense of brotherhood and right relationship with our fellow beings. It is an appeal for the will-to-good, the Will of God, to be expressed more fully upon Earth and more truly in the hearts and minds of all people.
In the past, prayer has been used largely for personal ends; people have prayed for themselves. They have invoked divine help for those they love. They have given a material interpretation to their basic needs. The Great Invocation is a World Prayer. It expresses humanity's need and pierces through the difficulties, doubts, and questionings straight to the Mind and Heart of the One in Whom we live and move and have our being.