BAH'AI

61

O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.

Baha'u'llah

62

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.

Abdu'l-Baha

63

O God, my God! I have set out from my home, holding fast unto the cord of Thy love, and I have committed myself wholly to Thy care and Thy protection. I entreat Thee by Thy power through which Thou didst protect Thy loved ones from the wayward and the perverse, and from every contumacious oppressor, and every wicked doer who hath strayed far from Thee, to keep me safe by Thy bounty and Thy grace. Enable me, then, to return to my home by Thy power and Thy

might. Thou art, truly, the Almighty, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

Baha'u'llah

PRAYERS FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS

64

THE FRUIT I NEED

Holy Spirit, you know that not all of my relationships are what I'd like. When I want to cry out in frustration, use my irritating experiences—my seemingly hopeless circumstances-develop in me patience and joy, kindness, faithfulness, and selfcontrol. In those moments give me the willingness to be controlled by you, that you may produce the fruit I need. Put to death my striving nature, bringing alive my cooperation. I praise you for creating a miraclefor creating the love within!

Thank you for giving me the drive and the need to achieve. When I would do second best where firstbest is needed, remind me, Lord, that the way I work reveals what I believe about you. But help me also when my sense of responsibility tips out of balance, becoming selfishness, misguided ambition, or trampling on the feelings of others. When I take myself or my work too seriously, give me a sense of humor and the ability to see myself in perspective. I give you my willful striving, even my feelings of incompetence, when they hinder me from waiting for your leading and your timing. Thank you that when you give me your attitudes, you are able to anoint my work, to bless and prosper it. Amen.

66

WHEN I AM DEPRESSED

Yes, Jesus, it's true that when I fail to forgive I retain those sins within me. When I am depressed, give me the ability to talk about my needs and to realize why I am angry. Help me to deal with and set right whatever is creating a problem. I accept responsibility for my share of that problem and ask you to forgive me. In your name, Jesus, and by the power of your Spirit, I forgive and ask you to bless the individual or persons involved. I praise you that as I forgive you speak to my mind, my emotions, and my spirit, and bring your deep wholeness and peace. Thank you!

67

LOOKING BACK

Too often I dwell on the "if onlys"—"if only" I had done this, "if only" I had done that. Teach me, Jesus, to know the difference between convictions of your Spirit and the condemnation of the evil one. I put the past that cannot be changed into your hands; make a road through the wilderness of my regret. Forgive the things I've done wrong and work in the places where I've made mistakes, using even my mistakes for your good. I praise you, Jesus, that with your forgiveness comes peace. I praise you for the anticipation you give as I move ahead into your irresistible future.

68

EARTHEN VESSELS

As I realize you are allowing suffering and disillusionment to enter my life, I struggle and protest, Lord, trying to avoid your molding. Yet am I, the clay saying to you who fashions me, "What are you making?"

When I complain, longing to escape-to avoid the beauty you would give me, help me to sense the care with which you shape me. Remind me yet again that you are my Maker and by passing through the fire I become an earthen vessel you can use. Amen.

69

FOR OUR LEADERS

Lord of our nation, be with our political leaders, that in the aloneness of their task they may sense your strength. When they are beset by problems and the striving of persons and nations, fill them with your peace. Make them aware that you care for them as individuals, that you offer guidance always accessible and lift burdens too heavy to carry.

Give us leaders worthy of trust, Lord-persons of integrity able to surround themselves with individuals who discern the truth and act courageously upon it. Keep them conscious that they are servants not of wealth, nor of fame, nor of position, but of the good of all people.

Protect our leaders, that the complexities of their positions do not blind them to the needs of their families-that out of the wholeness of their lives they find strength for their responsibilities. As they walk daily in your will, give them your blessing, your vision of justice, and your love. Amen.

70

I FEEL LONELY, LORD

At times I feel lonely, Lord-after moving to a strange city, or because I've hesitated in making new friends. Yet there are other moments and circumstances that I cannot control. Be near me when I experience loneliness in the midst of a crowd because I want to follow after you unconditionally. Help me to recognize your people, to become complete in you because I receive the love and Christian fellowship I need. Thank you, Jesus, that you have made real your call to the kingdom. I rejoice that you have promised abundance of life even now. Amen.

71 LET ME NOT FAIL YOU IN THIS DARK PLACE

and deepen the night

with the cinder of my burned-out fire

as a meteorite fallen

from hope-empty skies:

Fan the spectrum

but a pinpoint of light

with your breath

until the flicker

changes to a steady flame

that no chance wind

can snatch away

into oblivion.

Let it push back the night

and blaze into a dawn

with streaks of crimson

and gold trumpeting the sky.

by Wilma Burton