Wanderings

A friend let me know about this wonderful video from Fiji of 10 year old Vilisi delivering Anna’s Presentation. For those of you who have not encountered it, Anna’s Presentation is a model of way to tell someone about the Baha’i Faith. It covers not only the main principles of the Faith, but also the manifestation of Baha’u'llah. It was wonderful to see such a young child so knowledgeable about the Faith, and also so interested in sharing this knowledge. She does a wonderful job of delivering the presentation and the video is interspersed with images of the Baha’i community on the Fijian islands. As a former dweller of the topics, I loved to hear the rooster in the background and to see the beautiful colors of the vegetation, but also the reminder that Baha’is all over the world share the same stories, and a common Faith that unites them in their diversity.

After viewing this video with them, I had an 8 year girl, a 11 year old boy and their mother ask me about Anna’s Presentation and wanted me to give more details. It was Vilisi’s presentation that opened the door to the conversation and she is truly “a brilliant lamp and a shining star.” Thank you Vilisi (and thank you Elham for sending me the link).

TeacherJay Prayers, Reflections children, teaching, unity

Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! I entreat Thee by Thy Name through which the Hour hath struck, and the Resurrection came to pass, and fear and trembling seized all that are in heaven and all that are on earth, to rain down, out of the heaven of Thy mercy and the clouds of Thy tender compassion, what will gladden the hearts of Thy servants, who have turned towards Thee and helped Thy Cause.

Keep safe Thy servants and Thy handmaidens, O my Lord, from the darts of idle fancy and vain imaginings, and give them from the hands of thy grace a draught of the soft-flowing waters of Thy knowledge.

Thou, truly, art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

~ Bahá’u'lláh, Baha’i Prayer

This prayer for protection is more about protecting us from some of the hidden and intangible dangers of this world than the more obvious threats to our safety and health.  Perhaps prayers like this are even more important as they emphasize the dangers of the things which we may overlook in our lives, such as materialism, greed, jealousy and prejudice.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers materialism, prayer, prejudice

O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

Today can be seen as America’s birthday… the day that this democratic state was born by revolting from what was seen as an unfair and oppressive government.  In the more than 200 years that has passed since that day, the United States of America has become a great nation in the world that serves as a example of the democratic process.  Although it is far from perfect, there are many ways in which it has served to further the progress of humankind.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers prayer

Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

~ Baha’u'llah, Baha’i Prayer

Whenever I feel sick, or even just distant from God and in need of some healing, I like to say this prayer and remind myself that the best remedy for anything in life is nearness to God.

TeacherJay Prayers God's Love, healing, prayer

I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

~ Baha’u'llah, Baha’i Prayer

The above prayer is one of three prayers that Baha’is can choose from to recite every day.  It is an obligation that we carry out dutifully.  This is the shortest of them and the obligation is to say it just once daily, between noon and sunset.  As with many things, I appreciate both its simplicity and its depth.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers prayer

Praise be unto Thee, O Lord. Forgive us our sins, have mercy upon us and enable us to return unto Thee. Suffer us not to rely on aught else besides Thee, and vouchsafe unto us, through Thy bounty, that which Thou lovest and desirest and well beseemeth Thee. Exalt the station of them that have truly believed, and forgive them with Thy gracious forgiveness. Verily, Thou art the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

~ The Báb, Baha’i Prayer

Forgiveness is a common theme in prayers from religions all around the world.  I suppose that is because, try as we might, we can never live our lives free from sin.  We are imperfect.  However, we are not expected to.  That is why God forgives us.  If there were not a struggle to live our lives properly and free from sin, than there would be no achievement in it.

TeacherJay Báb, The, Prayers forgiveness, prayer, sin

O Lord, my God! Praise and thanksgiving be unto Thee for Thou hast guided me to the highway of the kingdom, suffered me to walk in this straight and far-stretching path, illumined my eye by beholding the splendors of Thy light, inclined my ear to the melodies of the birds of holiness from the kingdom of mysteries and attracted my heart with Thy love among the righteous.

O Lord! Confirm me with the Holy Spirit, so that I may call in Thy Name amongst the nations and give the glad tidings of the manifestation of Thy kingdom amongst mankind.

O Lord! I am weak, strengthen me with Thy power and potency. My tongue falters, suffer me to utter Thy commemoration and praise. I am lowly, honor me through admitting me into Thy kingdom. I am remote, cause me to approach the threshold of Thy mercifulness. O Lord! Make me a brilliant lamp, a shining star and a blessed tree, adorned with fruit, its branches overshadowing all these regions. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful and Unconstrained.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

As today I become a member of a Central State, I felt it appropriate to post this prayer.  Please pray for me as I begin a new part of my journey in life.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers assistance, prayer

O my God! O my God! Thou seest me in my lowliness and weakness, occupied with the greatest undertaking, determined to raise Thy word among the masses and to spread Thy teachings among Thy peoples. How can I succeed unless Thou assist me with the breath of the Holy Spirit, help me to triumph by the hosts of Thy glorious kingdom, and shower upon me Thy confirmations, which alone can change a gnat into an eagle, a drop of water into rivers and seas, and an atom into lights and suns? O my Lord! Assist me with Thy triumphant and effective might, so that my tongue may utter Thy praises and attributes among all people and my soul overflow with the wine of Thy love and knowledge.

Thou art the Omnipotent and the Doer of whatsoever Thou willest.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

This particular prayer was revealed to the Baha’is of the Southern States with the following direction:

Every soul who travels through the cities, villages and hamlets of these States and is engaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of God, should peruse this commune every morning.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know a Baha’i community located in a Southern State for the past few months.  It has been a delightful experience for me.  I grew up in the area many years ago before I had ever heard of the Baha’i Faith.  Upon my return I was very pleased to see a small, but growing community of dedicated followers and teachers of the Faith.  Although I am leaving this town again, tomorrow, every time I hear the above prayer I will think of the deeds of this community, the good work they are doing and the friends that I have made there.  I will all of them.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers assistance, prayer

O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness.

Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

Today I return to a children’s class within my local community.  I try to pray this prayer whenever I come into that class.  There is something about that always makes me smile.  The imagery in a lot of Baha’i writings I find to be quite vivid, and the the analogy of God’s children being His handiwork wrought by His might is a nice one.  This prayer not only emphasizes their education, but also their ability to serve humanity, in addition to their protection.  Every time I say it, I stop to consider if I am saying it for their benefit, or for my own.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, education, God's Love, reflection, responsibility, service

O my Lord!  Make they beauty to be my food, and Thy presence my drink, and Thy pleasure my hope, and praise of Thee my action, and remembrance of Thee my companion, and the power of Thy sovereignty my succorer, and Thy habitation my home, and my dwelling-place the seat Thou hast sanctified from the limitations imposed upon them who are shut out as by a veil from Thee.

Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the Most Powerful.

~ Baha’u’llah, Baha’i Prayer

I appreciate this prayer because it is brief, yet encompasses many things.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers assistance, prayer

Give me to drink of the river that is life indeed, whose waters have streamed forth from the Paradise (Ridvan) in which the throne of Thy Name, the All-Merciful, was established, that mine eyes may be opened, and my face be illumined, and my heart be assured, and my soul be enlightened, and my steps be made firm.

~ Baha’u'llah, Baha’i Prayer

In this, the last day of Ridvan, we commemorate when Baha’u’llah left the garden as a prophet of God and his true work began.  He had already been a spiritual leader and a follower of the The Báb, but it was during his time waiting in the Garden of Ridvan outside of Baghdad before leaving for Constantinople that his days as a manifestation, as the “Him Whom God shall make manifest” began.  Although it was on the first day that his proclamation began, I find the 12th day to be just as spiritually uplifting because it celebrates when Baha’u’llah left the garden to spread forth God’s message.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers holiday, manifestations, paradise, prayer, prophets

O Thou Whose tests are a healing medicine to such as are nigh unto Thee, Whose sword is the ardent desire of all them that love Thee, Whose dart is the dearest wish of those hearts that yearn after Thee, Whose decree is the sole hope of them that have recognized Thy truth! I implore Thee, by Thy divine sweetness and by the splendors of the glory of Thy face, to send down upon us from Thy retreats on high that which will enable us to draw nigh unto Thee. Set, then, our feet firm, O my God, in Thy Cause, and enlighten our hearts with the effulgence of Thy knowledge, and illumine our breasts with the brightness of Thy names.

~ Baha’u'llah, Baha’i Prayer

We all need healing in our lives—even when there is nothing specific to heal.  We all go through tests and difficulties.  God has a plan.  I, like many people, have been through some very difficult times in my life and questioned God’s wisdom for leading me through such hardships.  I wish I could repeat the old axiom that it all just made me stronger, but I’m still not so sure about that.  I do know that those hard times have me what I am today though.  They have influenced me and will continue to guide my thoughts and actions.  I would like to think that I am better because of them.  At this time, I pass through another difficult, and scary time in my own life, I say this pray and try to remember that God has sent this for me in order that I may become closer to Him.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers difficulties, healing, knowledge, manifestations, prayer, tests

O my Lord and my Hope! Help Thou Thy loved ones to be steadfast in Thy mighty Covenant, to remain faithful to Thy manifest Cause, and to carry out the commandments Thou didst set down for them in Thy Book of Splendours; that they may become banners of guidance and lamps of the Company above, wellsprings of Thine infinite wisdom, and stars that lead aright, as they shine down from the supernal sky.

Verily art Thou the Invincible, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

I like to read this prayer whenever I feel myself losing my way and straying from the path that God has set forth for me.  More than just asking for firmness in the covenant for myself, this prayer leads me to request the strength to carry out God’s commandments in order to set an example for the children I teach and the youth I mentor.  By becoming a star that will lead this next generation aright I have taken on a responsibility that is bigger than myself.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, covenant, education, meditation, prayer, reflection, responsibility, youth

O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.

~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Baha’i Prayer

This prayer is frequently the first one learned by many children of Baha’i parents.  It is probably the shortest of all of them, and, like a lot of Baha’i writings, its message at first appears to be direct, but upon deeper reflection we can see something more in it.  I ahv the opportunity to teach this prayer not only in English, but also in Spanish.  I have included it below as a side-by-side example of how the beautiful language of the Baha’i writings in English translates to other languages as well.

¡Oh Dios! Guíame, protégeme, ilumina la lámpara de mi corazón y haz de mí una estrella brillante.  Tú eres el Fuerte y el Poderoso.

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, guidance, language, prayer, reflection

All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honor, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power. Whomsoever Thou willest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocean, and on whomsoever Thou desirest Thou conferrest the honor of recognizing Thy Most Ancient Name. Of all who are in heaven and on earth, none can withstand the operation of Thy sovereign Will.  From all eternity Thou didst rule the entire creation, and Thou wilt continue for evermore to exercise Thy dominion over all created things. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise.

Illumine, O Lord, the faces of Thy servants, that they may behold Thee; and cleanse their hearts that they may turn unto the court of Thy heavenly favors, and recognize Him Who is the Manifestation of Thy Self and the Day-Spring of Thine Essence. Verily, Thou art the Lord of all worlds. There is no God but Thee, the Unconstrained, the All-Subduing.

~ Baha’u'llah

This prayer is the first in the “Praise and Gratitude” section of my prayer book – the one I use is a very popular edition that can be found in many Baha’i homes.  The first paragraph contains some words of praise and statements of the power of God to draw people close to Him such that no one would be able to resist nearness to Him if it were His will.  Rather than commanding this closeness, however, God loves the disbeliever first in an effort to make this person realize what they have missed and to recognize the manifestation that has appeared on Earth to instruct them in God’s message.

I believe strongly that these prayers were written not just for praise of God, but were intended just as much for what they remind us to do and who to be.  When the person reciting this prayer requests of God to illumine the faces and cleanse the hearts of His servants in order that they recognize the manifestation of God for this age, it is a personal request as well because every Baha’i is one of those servants.  When we say this prayer, we are not just praising God in our gratitude for the wonders he has bestowed upon us, but also asking Him and telling ourselves to continue in this path.  Just because we have declared ourselves as Baha’is, does not mean that we are no longer part of the un-illumined, but rather that we are just one step further on the journey.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers grace, manifestations, reflection, spiritual journey

Lauded by Thy name, O my God! I entreat Thee by the fragrances of the Raiment of Thy grace which at Thy bidding and in conformity with Thy desire were diffused throughout the entire creation, and by the Daystar of Thy will that hath shone brightly, through the power of Thy might and of Thy sovereignty, above the horizon of Thy mercy, to blot out from my heart all idle fancies and vain imaginings, that with all my affections I may turn unto Thee, O Thou Lord of all mankind!

I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant, O my God! I have laid hold on the handle of Thy grace, and clung to the cord of Thy tender mercy. Ordain for me the good things that are with Thee, and nourish me from the Table Thou didst send down out of the clouds of Thy bounty and the heaven of Thy favor.

Thou, in very truth, art the Lord of the worlds, and the God of all that are in heaven and all that are on earth.

~ Baha’u’llah

I really appreciate the somber tone and plea to God to remove the “idle fancies and vain imaginings” from one’s heart so that it will be possible to put all of one’s affections towards Him.  What a beautiful sentiment, and a nice reminder to know that, at times, even Baha’u’llah, a Prophet of God needed to ask for help to keep his thoughts on God.

TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers detachment, meditation, prayer

O Lord! Make this youth radiant, and confer Thy bounty upon this poor creature. Bestow upon him knowledge, grant him added strength at the break of every morn and guard him within the shelter of Thy protection so that he may be freed from error, may devote himself to the service of Thy Cause, may guide the wayward, lead the hapless, free the captives and awaken the heedless, that all may be blessed with Thy remembrance and praise. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.

~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer

One of the core beliefs of the Baha’is is to educate children.  This is a beautiful prayer asking God for assistance with that tremendous task of raising a child to be a shining light for others and to be in the service of the Lord.

I recall one morning at a devotional prayer meeting hearing a youth of about 13 years recite this prayer.  I liked it.  It felt like he was praying for himself, but by doing so in a group setting, he was drawing us all into his personal appeal to God.  I do not know if this was his intention, but the effect was a reminder that in any community, we are all responsible for the education—moral, spiritual and academic—of every child.  The future of the world depends upon it.

You can listen to (and even download) the Dawnbreaker Collective (MySpace, Official Website) setting this prayer to music below:

TeacherJay Abdu'l-Baha, Prayers children, community, education, music, prayer, youth

O Lord! Thou art the Remover of every anguish and the Dispeller of every affliction. Thou art He Who banisheth every sorrow and setteth free every slave, the Redeemer of every soul. O Lord! Grant deliverance through Thy mercy, and reckon me among such servants of Thine as have gained salvation.

~ The Báb, Baha’i Prayer

I first ran across this prayer a few years ago when I first declared as a Baha’i.  However, it was not until a few years later that a friend gave me the Elika Mahony CD, Fire & Gold, in which she sings these words so beautifully that it really had an impact on me.

Of course this is praise for the way in which God’s love and presence can mitigate the difficulties and trials in our lives, but there is more.  It has become a symbol to me of the diversity of the Baha’i Faith and its ability to cross international borders.  Although people in different parts of the world face different afflictions, they can all find redemption and salvation in the same God and this is one of the unifying principles of the Faith.

Mahony’s parents are from Iran, though she was born in the United States, raised in Kenya and now lives in China.  I was in India, on my way to Bangladesh and then Honduras, visiting a friend I knew from NYC who was born in Panama and had also lived in Argentina, who introduced me to her new friend who was India, but had lived in China.  All of us had led different lives, in different places, and yet we all knew this same prayer.

To add to the international flavor, a second woman enters into the song for the following words from Baha’u’llah:

¡OH HIJO DE LA LUZ!
Olvídate de todo menos de mí y entra en comunión con mi espíritu. Esto pertenece a la esencia de mi mandamiento, por tanto vuélvete a él.

~ Baha’u'llah, Palabras Ocultas del Árabe no. 16

in English:

O SON OF LIGHT!
Forget all save Me and commune with My spirit. This is of the essence of My command, therefore turn unto it.

~ Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words #16

TeacherJay Báb, The, Hidden Words, The, Prayers diversity, international, language, music, salvation, travel, unity