The Motto of The Order
For His Sake…
I am but one, but I am one.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?

In today’s blog post, we delve into the intriguing world of the Daughters of the King
shedding light on the order and its significance. It is a Christian Order which follows a
religious Rule of Life. This consists in two main cornerstones: a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of
Service.

One of my ancestors joined The Order of the Daughters of the King® (DOK) in the early
1900’s with the parish Christ Church in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. My mom found this
out through her love of genealogy research. We found additional ties to the Episcopal
Church that I didn’t know about. My ancestors were stonemasons who helped build
Sewanee: The University of the South. They also founded a few Episcopal churches.

In 2014, when I started attending an Episcopal church in Nashville, TN, I found more
information about DOK. Eventually, I participated in the twelve-week discernment
classes to see if I wanted to join the Order. Even while discerning, I never saw myself
serving as an officer. I was happy enough simply to join the Order and was excited to be
a part of my ancestors’ history. I joined the Order in 2019.

After a few years in my DOK parish, I served as VP and President at the church level,
and I am continuing to serve as Vice President for the Diocese of Tennessee. I will be
admitted as the President in September for a three-year period. I am honored to serve
an organization I have come to love. I followed in my ancestors’ footsteps in my calling
to serve as an officer.

Brief History of the Order
The Order was established in 1885 under the leadership of Margaret Juliet Franklin in
Manhattan, New York. By October 25, 1893, the Order had grown so much, they were
able to hold a National Conference in Baltimore Maryland. It is a sisterhood which now
spans the globe. We have approximately 20,000 Daughters worldwide.

DOK illuminates the path for women seeking spiritual enlightenment. Rooted in the
essence of servitude and dedication, the organization carries forward a legacy of
unwavering commitment to church and community. We seek to spread the love of
Christ’s kingdom.

Embracing the Mission
The Order of the Daughters of the King® continues to illuminate the path for women
today. The Order continues to embody the spirit of our founders, embracing a mission
centered on prayer, service, and evangelism. As mentioned, we follow the Rule of
Prayer and the Rule of Service.

“Prayer without work is empty words,
Service without prayer is labor lost.”

We pray daily for the needs of others, for our churches and for the world. We also
actively seek ways to serve those in need. We follow God’s will in leading us to serve in
the community, such as feeding the hungry, donating to shelters, sending much needed
materials to schools, reaching out to people who are homebound or in a nursing home,
etc. We desire to spread the message of love and salvation to all corners of the earth.

We believe in the power of women to enact meaningful change through our faith. By
nurturing spiritual growth and fostering a sense of community, the DOK
empower women to step into their divine calling with courage and grace.

Spreading Light in the Darkness
In a world shrouded in darkness, the Daughters of the King stand as beacons of hope
and love, radiating light in the midst of shadows. We strive for acts of kindness and
compassion, which serve as reminders of the enduring power of faith to transform lives
and uplift souls. We seek fellowship and community. Through our sisterhood, we strive
to kindle the flickering flames of faith in a chaotic world.

Building Bridges of Faith
As we traverse the intricate tapestry of life, the Daughters of the King weave threads of
faith and unity, bridging divides and fostering connections that transcend barriers.

The DOK stands as a beacon of faith and service in today’s world. With a rich history
and a commitment to empowering women through prayer and service, we continue to
shine brightly. By upholding these principles of prayer, service, and evangelism, the
Daughters of the King inspire all to seek spiritual growth and make a positive impact in
our communities.

May the legacy of the Daughters of the King continue to burn brightly, casting a warm
glow of hope and faith upon all who cross our path.

The Prayer of The Order
O Eternal Father, you have sent us your Son to teach us things pertaining to your
heavenly Kingdom. Give your blessing to our Order wherever it may be throughout the
world. Grant that we, your Daughters, ever may discern your truth and bear the cross
through the battles of our earthly life. Give us strength to overcome temptation and the
grace to work to spread your Kingdom and to gather your scattered sheep within your
fold. Pour out upon us the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit that we may always
remember it is your work we are called to do, that all we think, do or say may be
pleasing in your sight. We ask it all For His Sake, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen

Thought, Word & Deed

A weekly newsletter by Katie Rea.

More Information:

The Order of the Daughters of the King, Inc. (doknational.org)

The Order of the Daughters of the King- Diocese of Tennessee (tndok.org)