Youth
O Thou
kind Lord! From the horizon of detachment Thou hast manifested souls
that, even as the shining moon, shed radiance upon the realm of heart and soul,
rid themselves from the attributes of the world of existence and hastened forth
unto the kingdom of immortality. With a drop from the ocean of Thy loving-kindness
Thou didst oft-times moisten the gardens of their hearts until they gained
incomparable freshness and beauty. The holy fragrance of Thy divine unity
was diffused far and wide, shedding its sweet savors over the entire world,
causing the regions of the earth to be redolent with perfume.
Raise up then, O spirit of Purity,
souls who, like those sanctified beings, will become free and pure, will adorn
the world of being with a new raiment and a wondrous robe, will seek no one
else but Thee, tread no path except the path of Thy good pleasure and will
speak of naught but the mysteries of Thy Cause.
O Thou kind Lord! Grant that
this youth may attain unto that which is the highest aspiration of the holy
ones. Endow him with the wings of Thy strengthening grace—wings of
detachment and divine aid—that he may soar thereby into the atmosphere of Thy
tender mercy, be able to partake of Thy celestial bestowals, may become a sign
of divine guidance and a standard of the Concourse on high. Thou art the
Potent, the Powerful, the Seeing, the Hearing.
Abdu’l-Baha
Thou
kind Lord! Graciously bestow a pair of heavenly wings unto each of these
fledglings, and give them spiritual power that they may wing their flight
through this limitless space and may soar to the heights of the
O Lord! Strengthen
these fragile seedlings that each one may become a fruitful tree, verdant and
flourishing. Render these souls victorious through the potency of Thy
celestial hosts, that they may be able to crush the forces of error and
ignorance and to unfurl the standard of fellowship and guidance amidst the
people; that they may, even as the reviving breaths of the spring, refresh and
quicken the trees of human souls and like unto vernal showers make the meads of
that region green and fertile.
Thou art the Mighty and the
Powerful; Thou art the Bestower and the All-Loving.
Abdu’l-Baha
|
|
|
Thou
kind Lord! Bestow heavenly confirmation upon this daughter of the
kingdom, and graciously aid her that she may remain firm and steadfast in Thy
Cause and that she may, even as a nightingale of the rose garden of mysteries,
warble melodies in the Abhá Kingdom in the most wondrous tones, thereby
bringing happiness to everyone. Make her exalted among the daughters of
the kingdom and enable her to attain life eternal.
Thou art the Bestower, the
All-Loving
Abdu’l-Baha
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
Praise
and glory be to Thee, O Lord my God! This is a choice sapling which Thou
hast planted in the meads of Thy love and hast nurtured with the fingers of Thy
Lordship. Thou hast watered it from the well-spring of everlasting life
which streameth forth from the gardens of Thy oneness and Thou hast caused the
clouds of Thy tender mercy to shower Thy favors upon it. It hath now
grown and developed beneath the shelter of Thy blessings which are manifest
from the Dayspring of Thy divine essence. It hath burst forth into leaves
and blossoms, is laden with fruit through the providence of Thy wondrous gifts
and bounties and is stirred by the fragrant breeze wafting from the direction of
Thy loving-kindness.
O Lord! Cause this sapling to
become verdant, fresh and flourishing by the outpourings of Thy special bounty
and favor, wherewith Thou hast endued the tabernacles of holiness in Thy
eternal Kingdom and hast adorned the essences of unity in the arena of reunion.
O Lord! Assist him through Thy
strengthening grace which proceedeth from Thine invisible Kingdom, aid him with
such hosts as are hidden from the eyes of Thy servants and grant that he may
have a sure footing in Thy presence. Unloose his tongue to make mention
of Thee and gladden his heart to celebrate Thy praise. Illumine his face
in Thy Kingdom, prosper him in the realm above and graciously confirm him to
serve Thy Cause.
Thou art the All-Powerful, the
All-Glorious, the Omnipotent.
Abdu’l-Baha