O Divine Providence! Perplexing difficulties have arisen and formidable obstacles have appeared. O Lord! Remove these difficulties and show forth the evidences of Thy might and power. Ease these hardships and smooth our way along this arduous path. O Divine Providence! The obstacles are unyielding, and our toil and hardship are conjoined with a myriad adversities. There is no helper save Thee, and no succourer except Thyself. We set all our hopes on Thee, and commit all our affairs unto Thy care. Thou art the Guide and the Remover of every difficulty, and Thou art the Wise, the Seeing, and the Hearing. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Newly Translated Prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, March 2021, number 6)
Have you had a chance to look at the 26 newly translated prayers of ‘Abdu’l-Baha yet? If not, you can find them here.
In reading through them during the Fast, this was the first one which jumped out at me. Maybe I’m more depressed than I realize! I liked it because it speaks my language:
- perplexing difficulties have arisen due to COVID and my apparent loss of purpose
- formidable obstacles to my ability to teach or be of service in the ways the House of Justice are asking us to do, have arisen because of total exhaustion and burnout
- the obstacles are unyielding and seem to be worsening instead of getting better
- my toil and hardship are conjoined with a myriad adversities including 2 broken ribs that prevent me from doing a lot of what I would like to do
But I don’t have to stay stuck here. I can ask God to:
- Remove these difficulties
- show forth the evidences of Thy might and power
- Ease these hardships
- smooth our way along this arduous path
And in case I think there’s something I have to do myself, I am reminded that:
- There is no helper save Thee, and no succourer except Thyself
- We set all our hopes on Thee and commit all our affairs unto Thy care
- Thou art the Guide and the Remover of every difficulty, and Thou art the Wise, the Seeing, and the Hearing.
Knowing God can relieve me of my difficulties and hardships through His might and power, 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 Fear into Faith: Overcoming Anxiety
I don’t see how you can say you have no purpose when I have come to look forward to your posts and when they don’t appear (as did a week or so ago) I miss it and become worried for you. I figured you’re on overload, but I’ve also had distant people die on me and I’ve had no way to know. That is a major problem with internet relationships. We have no third party connections to pass on such news.
Exhaustion and burnout are not obstacles. They are indications that you’ve done enough – the only indications that I am aware of that exist. The trasnformation of the world will take generations. In the 60s it was obvious that we could accomplish it in just a few years. We had no clue. Someone in Haifa remarked that the House of Justice works on one problem at a time. As problems are gradually dealt with – the world will be gradually transformed. You and I will not see it except from the next world. I’m sure we’ll be helping from there too (“a service in both this world and the next”). Death (as we know) is not the end (except of physicality and its limitations).
Something always happens during the Fast that surprises me – and I’ve not been able to fast for decades.
“Have hope.” That is probably the only sentence from the House that I’m able to retain – and maybe the only one I need.
Beautiful reply Duane!
Susan, I hope your ribs are healing and your enjoying being home after great service given for your friend.
The prayer is a great one to share with friends and the world. Every word is poignant particularly for this time of COVID.
I totally agree, Allison. We’re all a little COVID-weary and our drooping wings are refreshed by these new prayers. Yes, my ribs are definitely getting better every day. Thanks for asking!
Awwww, Duane! What would I do without your solace and encouragement. Thank you for consistently lifting my spirits. I definitely believed we’d have entry by troops in my lifetime when I first came into the Faith in the early 80’s. The Writings made so much sense I couldn’t believe the world wouldn’t be as hungry as I was for accepting and implementing them. I worked myself into exhaustion and burnout trying to not only do my part, but make up for the deficits of those around me. I miss the days when I had lots of Baha’i activity around me, and I miss the Susan who was so actively engaged. I LOVED that most poignant Ridvan Message from the House of Justice in 2015, where the most comforting sentence in the English language was conveyed to us: “Have Hope.” Thank you for reminding me. Here’s the sentence, for those who may not know it, to put it into context:
Dear Susan
Your work is inspiring…i often feel the “prison of self”.. And your blog is a solace to my soul.. The last prayer in the march 2021 recently translated prayers deeply touched me by its content and poetic style..
…. One of the stanzas I feel speaks to your blog this week
“in all mine hours of deepest gloom, O Lord of might
My heart has Thy remembrance for a shining light”
Yours in Gratitude dale
Absolutely right Dale! The last prayer is definitely a unique style and resonates deeply with me too. Thanks for your contribution.
Dear Susan,
I always love the way you highlight the most important sections of each prayer or quote, it is so helpful! More and more I am hearing and feeling how overwhealmed people are feeling with all that is happening, a true bombardment of information and happenings,perhaps we are been asked to first learn to be gentle, loving and considerate with ourselves, so we can be gentle and loving with others. Gratefully yours, Rosemary
Yes, that makes sense to me too Rosemary.