Fireman’s Prayer
When I am called to duty, God
whenever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child
Before it’s too late,
Or some older person
from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
and give the best in me,
To guard my neighbor
And protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I have to lose my life,
Please bless with Your protecting hand
My children and my wife
History of the Fireman’s Prayer
The only way he could find to ease the pain of such a tragedy was to sit down and put his thoughts on paper. The phrase, “enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout”, sends a chill up a firefighter’s spine as you imagine what he experienced on that fateful night. It was a particularly tough time for him as he had young children around the same age.While most accounts of the Firemen’s Prayer conclude with Author Unknown, the world renowned poem was written by Firefighter A.W. “Smokey” Linn. As a young firefighter in 1958 Linn and his crew responded to a fire in which three children were trapped behind security bars and died in the fire.
His granddaughter, Penny McGlachlin said that back then there were no grief counselors to help the firefighters. Penny believes this was an actual prayer from him, to god for the sake of his own family, the other fireman, and the families of the children.
Smokey joined the Wichita, Kansas Fire Department in 1947 after returning from World War 2. He retired in 1975 and became president of the local chapter of the Good Sam Camping Club. He passed away March 31, 2004 of complications following surgery.
The Fireman’s Prayer was originally published in a book called, “A Celebration of Poets” in 1958. The last copyright of the book was 1998. It is the family’s desire that the credit for the Firemen’s Prayer go to the author, A.W. Smokey Linn.
www.aspiringfirefighters.com
St. Florian (c. 250-304 A.D.) was a commander in the Roman army serving under the Emperor Diocletian in present-day Austria. Among his duties was the organization of firefighting brigades. He was secretly a Christian and became famous for miraculously saving a town from being destroyed by fire; after he prayed and threw a single bucket of water on the blaze, it was extinguished.
Word reached the Emperor that he was not enforcing the ban against Christianity in his territory, and under investigation he was found to be a Christian. He was then condemned to be tortured and executed for his Christian faith. Refusing to recant his faith, St. Florian was flayed alive and martyred by being dumped into the river.
His body was later recovered and today his relics rest at a church named for him in Kraków, Poland. St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters, chimney-sweeps, brewers, drowning victims, and of Austria and Poland. He is often invoked when in danger of floods, fires, and battles. St. Florian’s feast day is May 4th.
St. Florian, pray for us!
Prayer to St. Florian for Firefighters (Recited by Firefighters)
Dear God, through the intercession of our patron, Saint Florian, have mercy on the souls of our comrades who have made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of their duty, and on all who have gone before us after years of faithful discharge of their responsibilities which now rest on ourselves. Give us Grace to prepare each day for our own summons to Thy tribunal of justice.
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my Spirit, wherever Thou callest me, I am ready to go. Merciful Father of all men, save me from all bodily harm, if it be thy will, but above all, help me to be loyal and true, respectful and honorable, obedient and valiant. Thus fortified by virtue, I shall have no fear, for I shall then belong to Thee and shall never be separated from Thee. Amen.
Prayer to St. Florian for Firefighters (Recited for Firefighters)
Oh, Almighty God, whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe, watch over all Firefighters. Protect them from harm in the performance of their duty to fight fire, save lives, and preserve property.
We pray, help them to keep our homes and all buildings safe day and night. We recommend them to Your loving care because their duty is dangerous. Grant them Your unending strength and courage in their daily assignments.
Dear God, protect these brave persons. Grant them Your Almighty protection and unite them safely with their families after duty has ended. Amen.
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Fire Fighters Prayer – As I posted the Police Officers Prayer, I wondered was there one for Fire Fighters too? These are the men and women who go into places as well that others are trying to flee from. Fire Fighters also risk their own life for the safety and well being of others. Jesus went into the fire for our benefit. He took the Sin of the World on Him, so we all can live. So I googled and came up with this one here that I am sharing with you all.
I would like to personally thank all those fire fighters out there risking their lives for others. Special thanks to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty as well. May God be with you all and keep you safe.
Fire Fighters Prayer
When I am Called to Duty, God.
Whenever flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life,
Whatever be its age.Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late, Or save an older person From the Horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout, And quickly and efficiently To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
And to give the best in me To guard my every neighbor And protect his property.
And if, according to my fate,
I am to lose my life, Please bless with your protecting Hand the special people in my life.
The author is unknown.
Remember to pray for your local fire department. Not to mention, all firemen and firewomen everywhere need prayer too! Also when you see a fire fighter, be sure to personally thank them for their service that they do for the community. These men and women spend time apart from their own families as well.
First published December 6, 2014. Republished last on December 1, 2016.
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