Prayers – Ritual or Individual
The information on this chart comes from various sources. If anyone has definite information for additions or changes on this chart, please send email to Paul M. Bessel so I can update this chart.
United States
|
State |
Are Prayers Ritual or Individual? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Ritual in degree work – Individual in open and close of lodge |
| Alaska | Ritual in degrees – Opening and closing ritual, but instructions say “or some other suitable prayer” |
| Arizona | Ritual |
| Arkansas | |
| California | Ritual |
| Colorado | Prayers are prescribed for opening, closing, and degree work |
| Connecticut | Ritual in degrees – Opening and closing ritual, but instructions say “or some other suitable prayer” |
| Delaware | |
| District of Columbia | Ritual in degrees – Individual for opening and closing of lodges |
| Florida | Ritual |
| Georgia | Ritual in opening and degree work |
| Hawaii | |
| Idaho | Ritual |
| Illinois | Ritual |
| Indiana | Ritual suggests prayers |
| Iowa | Ritual |
| Kansas | Prayers in degree work are fixed in ritual, otherwise forms are “suggested.” No prohibition against spontaneous prayers, but we usually leave that up to the chaplain, who either sticks to the recommended forms or at least keeps the prayer interdenominational/nonsectarian. |
| Kentucky | |
| Louisiana | |
| Maine | |
| Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | Opening and closing chosen by Chaplain – Ritual in ritual work |
| Michigan | |
| Minnesota | Ritual |
| Mississippi | |
| Missouri | All Prayers in Missouri are prescribed in ritual unless for a special occasion like a sick brother or veterans events etc.. In closing and maybe opening also if the Chaplain is in ordained minister/rabbi, etc. he may choose his own prayer but others who are not ordained may not. |
| Montana | Ritual, but Chaplain can substitute other appropriate prayers |
| Nebraska | |
| Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | Ritual (several to choose from) – One in printed ritual – WM has option of selecting others if he so chooses |
| New Jersey | Ritual, but several to choose from |
| New Mexico | Ritual |
| New York | Only ritual prayers are to be used in the opening and closing of a lodge (as well as the degrees) |
| North Carolina | |
| North Dakota | |
| Ohio | Opening & Closing, choice of 2 – Degrees’ prayers are ritual |
| Oklahoma | Ritual |
| Oregon | Ritual |
| Pennsylvania | Ritual |
| Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | Ritual |
| South Dakota | |
| Tennessee | |
| Texas | Depends on the Lodge |
| Utah | |
| Vermont | |
| Virginia | |
| Washington | Ritual |
| West Virginia | Ritual |
| Wisconsin | Officially from ritual |
| Wyoming |
Other than the United States
| England | Ritual |
| Scotland | Ritual |
| Israel | Ritual |
| Brazil | Ritual |
| Ontario | Ritual |