O Thou Provider, O Thou Forgiver! A noble soul hath ascended unto the Kingdom of reality, and hastened from the mortal world of dust to the realm of everlasting glory. Exalt the station of this recently arrived guest, and attire this long-standing servant with a new and wondrous robe. O Thou Peerless Lord! Grant Thy forgiveness and tender care so that this soul may be admitted into the retreats of Thy mysteries and may become an intimate companion in the assemblage of splendours. Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, the Ever-Loving. Thou art the Pardoner, the Tender, the Most Powerful. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Prayers of ‘`Abdu’l-Bahá, trainslated at the Bahá’í World Centre March 2021, #11)
As someone who has spent a lifetime trying to earn God’s love through good behavior and following all the rules, saying this prayer out loud lowers my anxiety and assures me of God’s absolute love and forgiveness.
I forget sometimes that one of the names of God is “the Forgiver” or the ever-Forgiving”, expecting Him to be the “Judge”, the “Wrathful” and the “Punishing”. I know He is all these things too, because we need to know both the love of God and the fear of God, but I have the fear of God down pat. Now I need to learn about and remember the love of God.
Imagine! God sees me as noble and as a long-standing servant. I want to see myself as noble and I yearn for God to see my decades of loyal and faithful service. I want Him to magnify my puny efforts. I want His forgiveness and tender care, so that I can be admitted into the retreats of His mysteries and become an intimate companion. When I say this prayer for friends who have recently passed away, I imagine saying it for my future self. I hope that someone will say it for me.
In the meantime, it’s a good reminder of all the good that God has in store for me, and I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Learning How to Forgive
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Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord!
I memorized that one a long, long time ago. Most of my life I’ve not been a very good friend to myself. I’m still working on it.
Dear One, if you are not already, you could say the healing prayer for yourself, even the long one. We don’t know what or when God’s mercy will be showered on us, but for me those have helped a great deal. It is beautiful that you have chosen such a potent part of the prayer, mine is “make me a hollow reed…” and “refresh and gladden my spirit”
Yes, I often say the long healing prayer for myself (especially when I’m also saying it for other people, recognizing our oneness, Bertha.
Me too Duane! I definitely need a lot of help in becoming a friend to myself, and I’m glad I am aware of just how much harm I’ve done to myself in the past – saying and doing things I would never do to another human being!
I love the new prayers that have been translated, especially the ones for the departed. It seems now there are more of my acquaintances or their family that are dying, some without warning. To be able to share these prayers with them is a blessing and a comforter.
I agree Bertha! And it’s a good way to teach the Faith too.
This is a lovely prayer thank you for sharing it.
I’m glad it resonated with you too Jan.
So opportune . . . a friend’s life partner died this morning – a group of us gathered and shared this lovely prayer on his behalf.
Thank you for your service!
I love evidence of God’s exquisite timing, don’t you, Susan?
(I have made death A messenger of joy to thee.Wherefore dost thou grieve?)I think that at very time when Baha’u’allah revealed these word the concept of death changed to joy.
Good point, Simin! Now the rest of the world just has to catch up and realize that death is a cause for celebration not something to dread.
you have a knack of choosing the nicest prayers which are soothing comforting and speaks to my spirit
Awwww thanks Phyllis! What a wonderful encouragement.