Mom attended the Feast of Nur (Light), it’s the first feast she has attended since March. She really enjoyed herself and everyone was glad to see her back. She attended in a wheel chair, but wants to attend the next feast walking in. I think she’ll be able to use the walker by then. She wants to go without the walker, but I’m not sure about that right now.
The hosts decorated center beautifully. There were roses and other green plants. I’m not sure of the names of the other plant because there are only a few flowers I’m familiar enough with to identify. The theme of the feast was love. The opening prayer, revealed by Baha’u’llah, was one I don’t remember reading before. It struck a chord with me, so here it is for all to read and enjoy.
Opening Prayer
Praise be unto Thee, O my God! I am one of Thy servants, who hath believed on Thee and on Thy signs. Thou seest how I have set myself towards the door of Thy mercy, and turned my face in the direction of Thy loving-kindness. I beseech Thee, by Thy most excellent titles and Thy most exalted attributes, to open to my face the portals of Thy bestowals. Aid me, then, to do that which is good, O Thou Who art the Possessor of all names and attributes!
I am poor, O my Lord, and Thou art the Rich. I have set my face towards Thee, and detached myself from all but Thee. Deprive me not, I implore Thee, of the breezes of Thy tender mercy, and withhold not from me what Thou didst ordain for the chosen among Thy servants.
Remove the veil from mine eyes, O my Lord, that I may recognize what Thou hast desired for Thy creatures, and discover, in all the manifestations of Thy handiwork, the revelations of Thine almighty power. Enrapture my soul, O my Lord, with Thy most mighty signs, and draw me out of the depths of my corrupt and evil desires. Write down, then, for me the good of this world and of the world to come. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. No God is there but Thee, the All-Glorious, Who help is sought by all men.
I yield Thee thanks, O my Lord, that Thou hast wakened me from my sleep, and stirred me up, and created in me the desire to perceive what most of Thy servants have failed to apprehend. Make me able, therefore, O my Lord, to behold, for love of Thee and for the Sake of Thy pleasure, whatsoever Thou hast desired. Thou art He to the power of Whose might and sovereignty all things testify.
There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Beneficent.
Bahá'u'lláh, Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 52
Mom and I always enjoy attending the Feast. The feast day of each month is the first day. This is normally when the Feast occurs, all though there are exceptions. The Baha’I month consist of nineteen days and the year of nineteen months. Each month named after an attribute of God.
Many Baha’is hold spiritual or prayer services in their homes on a weekly basis, this is something I’d like to do in the near future. Planning a spiritual service is interesting. I’ve planned reading for spiritual services held at the center, but never one in my home. When planning a spiritual service I usually chose a theme and then pick out reading from the various scriptures.
A prayer service is a bit different from a spiritual service (at least to my way of thinking). A prayer service consists of just prayers rather than readings from the various scriptures. If I were planning a prayer service, I’d have prayers from the various religions and provide copies if the attendees wanted to read a prayer rather than say one by memory or composing it themselves as they prayed.
When I prayer, I usually use a prayer revealed by Baha’u’llah or the Bab or written by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. There are several prayers I like and use everyday. There are others that I don’t say everyday and so I have to read them from the prayer book. I’ve found that I usually memorize prayers I read everyday.
Many Baha’is hold spiritual or prayer services in their homes on a weekly basis, this is something I’d like to do in the near future. Planning a spiritual service is interesting. I’ve planned reading for spiritual services held at the center, but never one in my home. When planning a spiritual service I usually chose a theme and then pick out reading from the various scriptures.
A prayer service is a bit different from a spiritual service (at least to my way of thinking). A prayer service consists of just prayers rather than readings from the various scriptures. If I were planning a prayer service, I’d have prayers from the various religions and provide copies if the attendees wanted to read a prayer rather than say one by memory or composing it themselves as they prayed.
When I prayer, I usually use a prayer revealed by Baha’u’llah or the Bab or written by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. There are several prayers I like and use everyday. There are others that I don’t say everyday and so I have to read them from the prayer book. I’ve found that I usually memorize prayers I read everyday.
The Prayers Revealed by the Bay and Baha’u’llah
Each word is a light
Shining through the darkness
Guiding my soul to eternal life
Shining through the darkness
Guiding my soul to eternal life
The Nineteen-Day Feast
At the Lord’s Supper
We consume word by word
Food of the spirit
We consume word by word
Food of the spirit
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