The Great Invocation
To use the Great Invocation is world service for it speaks directly to world need today. We need light to illumine the way ahead and reveal the vision of a new civilisation; we need love to govern the relationships between people and bring to an end the reign of hatred and separatism; we need the power of the will-to-good to direct human choice and decision making. The universal use of the Great Invocation on World Invocation Day charges this day with deep spiritual significance, for it builds a channel through which light, love and power can reach and irradiate the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
The Great Invocation
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 centre 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 centre 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.
*Many religions believe in a World Teacher, a “Coming One”, knowing him under such names
as the Lord Maitreya, the Imam Mahdi, the Kalki Avatar and the Bodhisattva. These terms are
sometimes used in versions of the Great Invocation for people of specific faiths.
Central Truths
Its beauty and strength lies in its simplicity and in its expression of certain central truths:
- The truth of the existence of a basic Intelligence to Whom we vaguely 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, called by Christians the Christ, came to earth 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
- And finally, the self-evident truth that only through humanity itself can the divine plan work out.
About World Invocation Day
A World Day of Prayer, Invocation and Meditation – An Invitation to Men and Women of Goodwill.
World Invocation Day is a world day of prayer and meditation when men and women of every spiritual path join in a universal appeal to divinity and use the Great Invocation. Together they focus the invocative demand of humanity for the light, the love and the spiritual direction needed to build a world of justice, unity and peace.
We face the fact that materialistic values have led humanity to a state of profound crisis. Our very survival is threatened, not only by militarism, but by our lack of wisdom and will to feed the hungry, to share our plentiful resources, and to solve the many other critical problems which confront the human family.
Yet the solution exists. One of the greatest insights of our time is that of the interdependence and interrelatedness of all life. Today millions of people share the conviction of an inner spiritual unity within humanity which transcends any outer differences of race, nation and creed. As men and women of goodwill the world over give expression to this conviction in their lives, a process of planetary transformation is taking place. A new civilisation is emerging which embraces all peoples and is founded upon the recognition of our common humanity and right human relations.
The world’s problems are of humanity’s making and they are for humanity to solve. But the essence of the spiritual life lies in knowing that we are not alone. The energies of divinity are abundantly available and, on World Invocation Day, an appeal is made for the release of the energies which will enable humanity to create the new civilisation.
Today the reappearance of the World Teacher is expected by millions, by those of every faith who expect the Avatar under such names as the Christ, the Lord Maitreya, Krishna, Messiah, Imam Mahdi and the Bodhisattva. The use of the Great Invocation is one of humanity’s most potent tools in preparing human consciousness for the reappearance of this World Teacher.
To use the Great Invocation is world service for it speaks directly to world need today. We need light to illumine the way ahead and reveal the vision of a new civilisation; we need love to govern the relationships between people and bring to an end the reign of hatred and separatism; we need the power of the will-to-good to direct human choice and decision making. The universal use of the Great Invocation on World Invocation Day charges this day with deep spiritual significance, for it builds a channel through which light, love and power can reach and irradiate the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
Most of the festivals of the major world religions are held in accordance with the lunar calendar. The date of World Invocation Day is also determined in this way. It follows on two months from the Christian Festival of Easter and one month from the Buddhist Festival of Wesak.
Each year, since 1952, people everywhere have celebrated World Invocation Day, joining in the affirmation of the oneness of humanity, the livingness of our relationship to God and the responsibility of humanity for the working out of the divine Plan on earth.
Will you join in observing World Invocation Day through the united use of the Great Invocation, and will you join in making this day widely known?
THE GREAT INVOCATION*
From the point of Light within the mind of God
Let light stream forth into human minds
Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into human hearts
May the Coming One return to Earth.
From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide all little human wills
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the centre which we call the human race
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.
*In accordance with the changing conciousness and language of humanity as we enter into the Aquarian Age, this “adapted” wording for the Great Invocation is offered in the hope that it will encourage wider distribution of this world prayer.