Firefighting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Being exposed to a lot of things, most nurses struggle to keep up with the stress and anxiety they experience at work.
For some firefighters, saying a prayer helps. It gives them hope and allows them to keep a positive attitude not just about work but their lives, too.
Here’s one of the most powerful prayers for firefighters.
When I am called to duty,
Wherever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save a 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 their 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 God’s will
I must answer death’s call,
bless with your protecting hand,
my family one and all.
There is not a firefighter out there that isn't familiar with this prayer. Often seen on station walls, giving a boost of courage to the firefighters before responding to an emergency. The origin of the prayer, originally known as the 'Fireman's Prayer', which has changed in recent years to be gender neutral, dates back to the mid 1900's, shortly after the end of the World War II.
The author of the prayer was a man named A.W. Smokey Linn. Linn was a firefighter for Wichita Kansas Fire Department after finishing service in the war. It is said Linn acquired the nickname Smokey at a young age after a fire broke out in his grandfather's barn and Linn ran into the smoke and flames to save his grandfather's model T truck by driving it out of the barn. After that incident, his grandmother knew firefighting was in his blood and from that moment on he was known as A.W. 'Smokey' Linn.
It is also said that the incident that resulted in the prayer came one night while on duty, Linn had been fighting a fiery blaze in a building where several children were trapped. The firefighters did they're best to battle the fire and save the children but they were unable to make the rescue due to iron bars that had covered the windows. They were left helpless and desperate, and they could see the little faces stare out the window knowing they would not be saved.
With sadness gripping Smokey's heart, he put his pen to paper and let out his emotions in the form of the "Fireman's Prayer". Smokey was able to portray the feelings he felt as he tried his best to do his duty that night. His oath as a firefighter is to save lives, if it means sacrificing his own. He calls on God to give him STRENGTH to save lives, he asks to have heightened senses to hear the weakest shout, and the ability to put the fire out. He knows he needs to give his best to protect his neighbor and their property and if it means the loss of his own life, he asks God to protect his family.
Strength, courage, faith, skills, abilities and SACRIFICE. A.W. Smokey Linn is detailing what it takes to be a firefighter. Unfortunately, we are sometimes unsuccessful, however, that will never stop us. The Firefighter's Prayer will help give us the courage and strength to push forward no matter how challenging the obstacle may be. A.W. Smokey Linn was a firefighter until 1975 and passed away from illness in 2004.