Make firm my steps and strengthen my back in service to Thy Cause: the prayer for firmness, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá voices it, is never a request to stand still. It asks for feet that hold on a straight path so that the hands are free to serve, for hearts calmed and breasts expanded, for the scattered gathered and the torn mended until a whole community speaks with a single tongue. Firmness in the Covenant is sought as a gift rather than an achievement, by people who admit that they are helpless, wandering and fallen, and who know that through divine confirmation a feeble ant becomes Solomon. The images give perseverance its vocabulary: rooted trees, mountains at rest, a sheltering cave, gentle breezes and refreshing rain. Many of these supplications arose in seasons of opposition and breach, and their urgency keeps the strain of those years, while others ask for humility, good character, healing and joy, so that steadiness and tenderness grow together. Psalm 51 moves in a kindred way from a renewed spirit toward teaching others. The road continues through firmness in the Covenant, steadfastness under tests, and the daily practice of faithfulness.
O Lord! Unite all that is scattered and unify all that is divided and mend all that is torn, and gather Thy loved ones in assemblies of remembrance and praise, and admit Thy servants into gatherings of light and glory, and make them a single tongue speaking Thy praise and attributes among the concourse of creation, steadfast in Thy covenants among the people, humble, submissive, proclaiming, devoted, and supplicating to Thy Most Glorious Kingdom, beseeching Thy most exalted horizon.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897-Apr-14, to Baha'is of Khurasan -- AB04233)
02
O Lord! Make firm my steps and strengthen my back in service to Thy Cause, and make me one of Thy steadfast servants.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1895-Aug or <, to Mirza Muhammad -- AB04628)
03
O my God, my Refuge, my Shelter and my Salvation! I beseech the Kingdom of Thy mystery and the Might of Thy Most Holy Being to make our feet firm in Thy manifest Faith and Thy Straight Path, to calm our hearts, illumine our sight, and expand our breasts through the verses of Thy holiness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897-Oct-16, to Hasan Khurasani -- AB01874)
04
Grant, O Thou Loving Lord, that all may stand firm and steadfast, shining with everlasting splendour, so that, at every breath, gentle breezes may blow from the bowers of Thy loving-kindness, that from the ocean of Thy grace a mist may rise, that the kindly showers of Thy love may bestow freshness, and the zephyr waft its perfume from the rose garden of divine unity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Oct-10, to Baha'is of East and West et al -- AB00204)
05
My God, my God! With utmost submissiveness and contrition, with complete meekness and lowliness, with supplication and devotion, I turn to Thee in prayer and beseech Thee to continue bestowing upon me the glances of Thy merciful eyes, to strengthen me in firmness and steadfastness in Thy word of oneness, to enable me to spread Thy most great verses, to raise the banners of Thy manifest signs throughout all regions, to diffuse the effects of Thy great bounty, and to kindle the fire of Thy love in all hearts and souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Haji Muhammad Husayn from Kaf -- AB05018)
06
O God! Make us firm in Thy true religion and Thy straight path, and establish us in the Covenant and Testament, and make us among the people of unity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Mirza Yusuf et al -- AB04368)
07
With utmost humility, supplication and entreaty, I beseech His Holiness the Manifest Beauty to make each of His friends a sign of guidance, that they may become detached from all else save Him, become manifestations of sanctification and essences of purification in all perfections in every direction, be pointed to with fingers of praise on the horizon of existence like the shining moon, and supplicate day and night at the Threshold of Oneness that He may strengthen this weak servant through the power of His servitude. This is the utmost of my hope and the ultimate of my purpose and my greatest entreaty to my Lord.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Shaykh Kazim Qazvini (Samandar) -- AB02975)
08
O Lord! Make us steadfast in Thy Covenant and Testament.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Rashti, Mulla Yusuf Ali et al -- AB02086)
09
O Lord! Illumine his brow with the lights of Thy Kingdom, expand his breast with the signs of Thy dominion, and ordain for him every good in the worlds of Thy holiness. Make firm his feet in Thy Covenant and Testament. Verily, Thou art the All-Bountiful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Dhabih (Mirza Isma'il Khan Munshi) -- AB04954)
10
O my God! O my God! Make firm the feet of Thy loved ones in Thy Covenant and Testament, and expand their breasts through the lights of steadfastness in Thy Cause. Verily, Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of Rasht et al -- AB02039)
11
Make firm their feet upon the Covenant and strengthen their hearts through a light shining forth from the Dawning Place of effulgence.
O Generous One! Grant steadfastness and devotion, and bestow firmness and establishment.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Fadlullah Naraqi (Muavinut-Tujjar) -- AB04462)
13
Now, O Lord, grant me steadfastness, bestow upon me firmness, that I may remain firm in love for the Dawning-Place of Thy Oneness and derive light from the Sun of Truth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Anna Watson -- AB04737)
14
When we are firm and steadfast in Thy Covenant and Faith, we shun all else but Thee. O Lord! Have mercy and grant steadfastness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Abdu'llah Nuri -- AB09272)
15
My God! Make me firm in Thy Covenant and steadfast in Thy love, and deliver me from every severe test.
O Lord! Strengthen him to remain firm in Thy Covenant and Testament, and to be steadfast in Thy Cause and in Thy love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Muhammad Hasan Zanjani -- AB12727)
17
My God, my God! This is a servant who hath been attracted by Thy call, hath responded to Thy summons, hath believed in Thee and in Thy signs, hath testified to Thy words, and hath acknowledged and recognized Thy beauty. O Lord! Make him steadfast in Thy Covenant, cause him to speak Thy praise, and enable him to hold fast to Thy Testament. Verily, Thou art the Helper, the Mighty.
My Lord! Aid Thy servants to be steadfast in Thy Mighty Cause and on Thy Straight Path.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Afnan, Haji Mirza Muhammad son of Muhammad Taqi Afnan -- AB12402)
19
O Lord! Make firm the feet upon Thy straight path, and guide all to the right way, and assist and enable all to remain firm in Thy mighty Covenant.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Muhammad Ali Kashani -- AB05936)
20
O Lord! Aid Thy loved ones to remain firm upon Thy path whereon feet have slipped. Make their hearts steadfast in Thy love and make them as immovable mountains in constancy, firmness and tranquility.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-Aug-16, to Baha'is of Malayir et al -- AB12173)
21
Convey greetings to the handmaiden of God, the assured leaf, and the mother of Mashhadi 'Ali. We beseech divine grace that He may grant them new strength of assurance at every moment.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Mashhadi Ali Akbar -- AB03114)
22
I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy love and firm in Thy Cause. Verily Thou art the Almighty over what Thou willest.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-08 [1887-Apr], to Mirza Ibrahim Khan -- BH02913)
23
Praise be unto Thee for having guided me unto Thy path and caused me to hear Thy call. I beseech Thee to make me steadfast in Thy Cause, firm in Thy religion, and immovable in Thy love.
O Lord! I beseech Thee by the stars of the heaven of Thy utterance and the suns of Thy favors to aid me to remain firm in the Most Great Steadfastness.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303-12 [1886-Aug], to Muhammad Hashim Khan -- BH05742)
25
I beseech Thee, O Cleaver of the Dawn and Sender of the Winds, by Thy Most Great Name through which the peoples are impelled, to strengthen whomsoever hath turned towards Thee upon the Most Great Steadfastness.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303-11 [1886-Jul], to Muhammad Hasan Khayyat -- BH07471)
26
I beseech Thee by Thy Manifestation, Thy rising up, and Thy call, to make me one of them who have stood firm in this Cause, mighty and great.
Say: O my Lord! Establish for me a seat of truth with Thee, then make me firm in this mighty Cause.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1297 ? [1879-1880], to Kazim -- BH07966)
28
Then assist him, O my God, with Thy help, and grant him that which is best for him from the Kingdom of the dominion of the heavens and earth, and make him steadfast in Thy love, and establish him upon Thy path, lest his feet slip from Thy straight way.
O my God, strengthen my feet in Thy Cause, then make me a helper of Thy Beauty, the Ancient and Resplendent One. Then preserve me within the shelter of Thy protection, and grant me that which Thou hast ordained for Thy sincere servants.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Haydar Ali (Baghdad) -- BH05919)
30
I beseech Thee, O God of existence and Lord of the seen and unseen, by Thy Name to aid me to be steadfast in this Cause whereby the feet of the mystics have slipped.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-09 [1882-Jul], to Abdu'l-Muhammad -- BH05506)
31
I beseech Thee, O my Lord, by the Tablet which Thou hast adorned with the lights of Thy utterance and wherein Thou hast written for Thy loved ones that which behooveth them in Thy days, and by Thy Name, the Manifest, the Speaking, the Hidden, and by Thy Light, the Shining, the Radiant, the Treasured, to assist me to hold fast unto Thy Most Great Handle in such wise that neither the hosts of Thy earth and heaven nor the might of the oppressors among Thy creatures shall keep me back from Thee.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306-08-01 [1889-Apr-2], to Muhammad Rida son of Ali from Shin -- BH07781)
32
I beseech Thee by the Point through which the Books and Scriptures were differentiated, to make me detached from all else save Thee and to hold fast unto Thy cord.
I beseech Thee, O Lord of existence and Source of bounty, by Thy Name, the Loving, to assist Thy servants to draw nigh unto Thee and to hold fast unto the cord of Thy providence and to cling to the hem of Thy mercy with such steadfastness that neither the doubts of the perverters of truth nor the whispers of the clamorers may keep them back from drawing near unto the ocean of Thy grace and the heaven of Thy bestowals.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305 [1887-1888], to Haji Mirza Muhammad Afnan -- BH06588)
34
I beseech Thee by the waves of the sea of Thy oneness, and by the establishment of the throne of Thy grandeur, and by the remembrances of the leaves of the Tree of Thy singleness, to rain down from the heaven of Thy bounty upon the branches of this Tree that which will make them steadfast in Thy love and cause them to drink at all times the wine of Thy mercy.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan -- BH05192)
35
Grant growth and development to these saplings of the garden of bounty, and bestow verdancy and freshness upon these boughs of the Divine Lote-Tree, and keep them firm and steadfast in Thy mighty Covenant and Testament.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan (Aqa Mirza Aqa Nurud-Din) -- AB05910)
36
My God, my God! By how You have gathered these birds in the garden of Your sanctification and the meadows of Your oneness, make their feet firm upon Your path and make them steadfast in Your ancient Covenant and Testament, O Lord of the Worlds, that they may not be shaken by the winds of tests and trials.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Muhammad Khan Mirza et al -- AB01166)
37
O my God, my God! Make firm the steps of Thy loved ones in Thy straight path, Thine ancient Covenant and Thy firm and excellent Testament. … O Lord! Make them signs of firmness and standards of steadfastness in the realm of existence, holding fast to the sure handle, O my Most Exalted Lord, and clinging to the firm cord, O God of the heavens and earths.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Shaykh Abu'l-Qasim (Antep) -- AB02069)
38
O Lord! Make firm their feet in Thy religion and guard their hearts from the doubts of those heedless of Thy remembrance and make them mountains firm in Thy Covenant and pillars fixed in Thy Testament.
O my Lord, my Lord! I humble myself before the Divine Lote-Tree and the Throne of the sovereignty of Thy Lordship and the Seat of Thy mercy, beseeching Thee to make firm the footsteps of Thy servant who hath abased himself at the gate of Thy oneness, who is broken before the Kingdom of Thy singleness, who hath clung to the hem of Thy uniqueness, to stand fast in Thy Covenant and Testament. O Lord! Illumine his sight with beholding the lights of the Covenant, gladden his heart with the musk-laden breezes wafting from the gardens of the Testament of the Light of the horizons, make fragrant the garden of his heart with the outpourings of the clouds of harmony, and protect him from the evil of discord and the thunderbolt of hypocrisy. Verily, Thou art the Generous One, verily, Thou art the Most Merciful of the merciful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898-Jun-02, to Aqa Asadullah Ansari Maraghihi -- AB09053)
40
O Lord! Make his feet firm in Thy Covenant and Testament, perfume his nostrils with Thy fragrances, quicken his spirit with Thy breezes, expand his breast through Thy remembrance, and strengthen his back with the hosts of Thy confirmation and assistance.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Mirza Muhammad (Mazindaran) -- AB01835)
41
O Lord! Make firm his steps in Thy Cause, expand his breast through Thy light, gladden his spirit through Thy victories, spread through him Thy remembrance, cause him to speak forth Thy praise, attire him in the robe of sincerity in Thy Cause, and admit him into the garden of immortality through Thy grace.
I beseech God to increase thy faith and certitude, to strengthen thy steadfastness and firmness, to immerse thee in the seas of His mercy, to guide thee to the kingdom of His grace and bounty, to make thee a sign of His love and a word of the Manifestation of His Will, and to illumine thy face among the believers.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898-Jun-13, to Mirza Muhammad son of Mirza Ibrahim -- AB07112)
43
O matchless God!
We offer supplication and prayer that Thou mayest make these servants intimate with Thy mysteries and enable them to hear the call of the Concourse on High. Make them steadfast in Thy Covenant and Testament, and companions of the mention of Thy Blessed Beauty.
O Lord! Make firm the hearts of Thy sanctified handmaidens in Thy Covenant and Testament.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893 ca., to Wife of Ahmad Shirazi -- AB06979)
45
Make this assured handmaiden of Yours, along with her children and descendants, firm and steadfast in Your Covenant and Testament. Make her strong and unwavering in Your Pact.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mother of Haji Kazim -- AB05108)
46
O Lord! Honor him with the meeting, and seat him upon the throne of Thy greatest gift in the highest companionship, and make firm the feet of their family and children and those who will be born among their descendants and progeny [upon Thy Covenant and Testament, which no covenant or testament has preceded] in the kingdom of creation.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Siyyid Asadullah Qumi -- AB04242)
47
O my God, my God! This is Thy servant and the son of Thy servant who, from his tender years, was nourished at the breast of Thy loving-kindness, and in his cradle was set aflame with the fire of Thy love. Thou didst rear him beneath the wing of Thy mercy and didst honor his forebears with service at the threshold of Thy oneness. Through the bounty Thou didst bestow upon him - a gift in which he takes pride and glory before the concourse of Thy near ones among Thy loved ones - make him steadfast in Thy Covenant, whose mighty pillars shake the highest heavens due to the greatness and difficulty of bearing it: the bearing of hardships in Thy path and the endurance of tribulations in Thy love.
I praise and thank the Glorious Lord, the Benevolent, the Compassionate, the Beautiful, the Bountiful in gifts, the Great in providence, for what He has bestowed upon His weak servants of magnificent favors, beautiful gifts, consummate wisdom, profitable commerce, abundant wealth, lofty glory, exalted station, penetrating insight and pervading power on the day He shone upon the horizons with the lights of the Covenant and took the mighty Covenant mentioned in His Tablets and Scriptures and in the Bayan and the Qur'an and the Torah and the Gospel. And praise and thanks and glory be upon all who have held fast to this mighty Cord and manifest Serpent which swallows up all ropes and staves. And greetings overflowing with praise and radiating with the light of Glory be upon the luminous Reality, the divine Identity, the heavenly Fragrance, the lordly Breath, and the unitary Essence which gleams upon the crown of ancient glory with a gleaming that has illumined the heavens and earth by its light, and upon those who have remained firm in the Covenant and cast away discord and mounted the celestial steed and called out to all regions: "Hasten to the ancient Covenant! Hasten to the mighty Covenant! Hasten to the manifest Light! Hasten to the straight Path! Hasten to the clear Water! Hasten to the Garden of Delight! Hasten to the great Bounty! Hasten to the Table spread by the generous Lord!"
My God, my God! This is Your servant who has turned to the Dawning-Place of Your first Light, the Primal Point, and responded to Your call at the rising of the Sun of Glory in the latter cycle, and has borne every hardship and difficulty and trial, and has become one of Your ancient servants. Illumine his heart forever and eternally with the light of the Morn of Guidance, and expand his breast through witnessing Your greatest signs, and cause him to speak with the proof of Your Covenant which You have taken from the Kingdom of existence, from the unseen and the visible, O Lord of the Supreme Concourse! Preserve him from the arrows of doubts of the people of veils and ambiguities, make his heart firm in the clear verses, and make him a brilliant lamp in the gathering of the Covenant and Testament.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1896-Jul-30, to Haji Muhammad Baqir Nabil Qazvini -- AB01886)
49
When I bow my head at the Sacred Threshold, I pray and supplicate: O my Merciful One, O my Beneficent One, O Life of my spirit and soul! Make Your faithful servant Samandar, the fire of love, enduring in the Paran of spirit and fragrances and the Sinai of the Kingdom of knowledge and the fire of the manifestation of the warmth of Your love, and make him the manifestation of endless favors, for through Your grace and gift he emerged like pure gold from the fire of tests and trials with a radiant face.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Tarazullah Samandari -- AB02990)
50
O Khalilu'llah, merciful-hearted Abraham! The letter you sent through Jinab-i-Amin arrived and brought great joy, for praise be to God, Faran was protected and preserved from severe tests and ever increased in firmness and steadfastness in the Covenant.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Apr-28, to Khalil Rahmani Farani -- AB11695)
51
O my Lord! Make it blessed, auspicious and felicitous for Thy loved ones who are firm in Thy Covenant, and Thy friends who speak Thy praise, and especially for this servant who has turned to the Kingdom of Thy mercy, who supplicates before the Heaven of Thy oneness, who circles round the sanctuary of Thy grandeur, who prostrates at the threshold of the gate of Thy bestowal.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Muhammad Karim Shirazi -- AB07760)
52
O Lord! Aid these brothers to serve the Covenant and to be illumined by the lights of the emanations of the Kingdom throughout all regions, to drink from the cup of Thy favors which overflows with the wine of recognition among the people of constancy. Assist them through Thy Word, bestow upon them Thy bounty, shower upon them Thy mercy, and help them in all things.
O Lord! Assist this maidservant of Thine to remain firm in Thy Cause and to serve those who are steadfast in Thy Covenant, through which the feet of the proud have slipped. Verily Thou art the Generous, the Merciful.
I beseech Thee, O Cleaver of Dawn and Subjugator of Winds, by Thy Name through which Thou hast subdued all names, to make this leaf of Thine confirmed by Thy confirmations, uttering Thy praise among Thy handmaidens, and steadfast in Thy service.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303-05-24 [1886-Feb-28], to Fatimih Baygum, wife of Sultanush-Shuhada -- BH05621)
55
Glory be unto Thee, O my God! I beseech Thee by the fragrances of the hearts of them that know Thee and by the burning of the livers of the sincere ones in their separation and remoteness from Thee, to assist Thy Afnan in that which Thou lovest and approvest. Then raise them at all times through Thy grace, Thy power and Thy loving-kindness.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1302-11-26 [1885-Sep-6], to Aqa Siyyid Ali Afnan -- BH01909)
56
O God! Assist me with the hosts of the Supreme Concourse and make me firm and steadfast in the Covenant and Testament.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Hannen, Latimer et al, spoken on 1912-Aug-01 -- ABU2688)
57
O my God, my God! These are Your chosen ones and Your pure ones whom You have chosen for Your love, elected for Your knowledge, and selected for Your remembrance. … Strengthen them through Your eternal might and aid them with Your everlasting confirmations.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Abbas Qabil -- AB02962)
58
O Lord! Strengthen Thy servants who are firm in Thy mighty Covenant and manifest Testament through the hosts of Thy Supreme Concourse and a company of Thy near angels. O Lord! As Thou hast illumined their faces in Thy most glorious Kingdom, spread the light of their faces throughout the east and west of the earth and raise their edifice in the nether Paradise. Verily, Thou art the All-Bountiful.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1896 ca., to Ayadi, Mulla Ali Akbar Shahmirzadi (Tihran) et al -- AB02917)
59
Therefore, strengthen their backs through Thy conquering power, illumine their faces with Thy brilliant lights, exalt their station, spread abroad their words, and make them among the lights of the Dawning-Place of steadfastness in Thy love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of the world -- AB02643)
60
My God, my Lord and my Master! I implore Thee and beseech Thee to confirm every steadfast one, to assist every firm one, and to aid those who have turned toward Thy most glorious Kingdom to achieve Thy good-pleasure, to promote Thy Word, to strengthen Thy sovereignty, to establish Thy knowledge, to reinforce the pillars of Thy love and to make firm the foundation of Thy commandments.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897-Nov-24, to Mirza Aqasi et al -- AB01142)
61
O Lord! Make firm his steps in Thy Ancient Covenant, expand his breast through the outpouring of manifest light, and inspire him to chant Thy verses and establish Thy clear proofs amongst all peoples.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Jul-21, to Aqa Ghulam Husayn -- AB09774)
62
O my Lord! Assist Thy servant Ali to establish Thy remembrance, to exalt Thy Word, to proclaim Thy Covenant, to spread Thy verses, to manifest Thy proof, and to make clear Thy arguments and evidences.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898-Apr-14, to Aqa Mirza Ali Rashti -- AB04987)
63
O my Lord! Make this servant of Thine a promoter of Thy Covenant, a proclaimer of Thy Word, a spreader of Thy Cause, one who maketh firm the footsteps, who illumineth the faces and gladdeneth the hearts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897 or <, to Mirza Aqa Bashir Ilahi (Bashirus-Sultan) -- AB12408)
64
O Lord! Through him make hearts steadfast and affairs well-established, dispel griefs, and make him a sign of spirit and sweet fragrance among the people of certitude.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan (Aqa Mirza Aqa Nurud-Din) -- AB04155)
65
O Lord! Purify their realities with the water pouring forth from the clouds of Thy bounties, and illumine their faces with the lights shining from the dawning-places of Thy favors, and confirm them in service to Thy Covenant throughout all contingent beings, and aid them to serve Thy Cause, O my Lord, the All-Merciful.
O Lord! Strengthen them in steadfastness in Thy Cause, firmness in Thy Covenant, continuance in Thy service, servitude before Thy threshold, exaltation of Thy Word, manifestation of Thy wisdom, establishment of Thy proof, and promulgation of Thy Law.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Baha'is of Qazvin -- AB03847)
67
O my God, Supporter of the sincere ones and those steadfast in Thy Covenant and confident in Thy promise! Aid these, Thy servants, to serve at the threshold of Thy holiness, and make them signs of guidance and stars of piety, shining from the supreme horizon and gleaming from the highest zenith. Make firm their feet that they slip not through the doubts of the people of passion and desire.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Muvaffaq, Muhammad Khan et al -- AB00450)
68
O Lord! Aid them to serve at Thy sacred Tree, protected from the imaginings of the falsifiers, and make them firm in Thy manifest religion and steadfast in Thy Cause amidst the worlds.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-Jan-22, to Baha'is of Hurmuz Farm, Nahvid -- AB05503)
69
I beseech Thee by Thy greatest signs and by the Daysprings of Thy Cause and the Manifestations of Thy Self and the Recipients of Thy knowledge and the Mines of Thy wisdom and the Treasuries of Thy utterance and the Sources of Thy commandments and ordinances to aid me in all conditions to act according to what Thou hast revealed in Thy Book.
I beseech Thee by them who have circled round the throne of Thy will, and soared in the atmosphere of Thy good-pleasure, and turned with all their affections towards the Horizon of Thy Revelation and the Day-Spring of Thine inspiration, and the Dawning-Place of Thy names, to aid Thy servants to observe what Thou hast commanded them in Thy days--commandments through which the sacredness of Thy Cause will be demonstrated unto Thy servants and the affairs of Thy creatures and of Thy realm will be set aright.
I beseech God by Thee to aid me to follow His commandments, to draw me nigh unto Him, and to make me one of those who help His Cause, who visit Thy presence, who seek shelter beneath Thy protection, and who cling to Thy bounty.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1292-05-19 [1875-Jun-23], to ibn Ukht Abu'l-Hasan -- BH05307)
72
O my Lord! Strengthen my limbs to arise in Thy service and to act according to what Thou hast commanded me in Thy perspicuous Book.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Mirza Musa Javahiri -- BH08529)
73
I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy bounty and the heaven of Thy giving, and by those who have not broken Thy Covenant and Testament and have drunk the cups of tribulation and adversity in Thy love, to assist Thy loved ones and chosen ones to act as befitteth Thy days.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299 ? [1881-1882], to Ibn Asdaq (Hand of the Cause) -- BH01862)
74
O Lord! I beseech Thee by Thy signs and Thy clear tokens, and by the mysteries hidden in Thy knowledge, and by the lights of Thy countenance in Thy prison, to assist Thy servants in that which befitteth Thy days, and to grant them such steadfastness as shall cause the feet of the ungodly among Thy servants and the deniers among Thy creatures to quake.
I beseech Thee, O Bestower of bounties and Creator of nations, by Thy Most Great Name through Whose revelation the Names were thunderstruck and the people of the kingdom of creation were shaken, except such as were seized by the hand of Thy grace and delivered through Thy bounty and generosity from the clay of idle fancies - O Lord! Thou seest that I have turned unto Thee and placed my trust in Thee. I beseech Thee to make me one of them that stand firm in the service of Thy Cause and to enable me to perform such deeds as may be adorned with the glory of Thy acceptance.
I beseech Thee, O Originator of existence, by the ocean of Thy bounty and the heaven of Thy knowledge, to cause Thy chosen ones to hold fast to the cord of Thy bestowal, to hasten unto the ocean of Thy utterance, to speak forth the wonders of Thy remembrance and praise, to remain firm in Thy service, and to act according to what Thou hast revealed in Thy Gracious Book.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307-12 [1890-Jul], to Aqa Ali Akbar -- BH04370)
77
Then I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Name, the Self-Subsisting, and by Thy sealed choice Wine, and by Thy manifest Light, and by Thy Call from the Mount whereby the graves were raised up and the darkness was illumined, to aid me in all conditions to make mention of Thee and to praise Thee amidst Thy creation, and ordain for me that which Thou hast ordained for them that are near unto Thee and are sincere in their love.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Mirza Jan -- BH05728)
78
I beseech Thee by the Kawthar of Thy utterance and the waves of the ocean of Thy bounty to assist me in all conditions to celebrate Thy praise and glorification and to serve Thy Cause.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305-01-25 [1887-Oct-13], to Mirza Ali Akbar -- BH08569)
79
Say:
My God, my God! Adorn my heart with the ornament of Thy love, my tongue with Thy remembrance and praise, mine eye with beholding Thy horizon, and my face with turning toward the lights of Thy countenance. O Lord! I beseech Thee by the ocean of Thy knowledge and the sun of Thy grace to aid me in all conditions to be steadfast in Thy Cause.
When thou hast quaffed the choice wine of My utterance, say:
My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having guided me in Thy days and enabled me to recognize the Dawning-Place of Thy signs and the Dayspring of Thy clear tokens. I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Book and its words and letters, and by Thy Cause whereby the ocean of knowledge surged before the faces of all religions, to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and firm in Thy love. Verily Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the All-Praised.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Mirza Nasrullah -- BH06725)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
81
Say: My God, my God! Praise be to Thee for having guided me unto Thy path, given me to drink of the Kawthar of Thy utterance, and mentioned me in Thy most exalted station which Thou hast named with Thy most beauteous names. I beseech Thee, O Lord of all beings, by the lights of the dawn of Thy Revelation, and by the Tree that hath spoken through Thy command, and by the ocean of Thy bounty which surgeth through Thy will, to make me steadfast in Thy Faith and firm in Thy Cause.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-10-14 [1887-Jul-6], to Ha' va Sin qabl 'Ayn -- BH07934)
82
Give thanks unto thy Lord for this most great favor and say:
I beseech Thee, O my God, my Beloved, and my Heart's Desire, by the Most Exalted Word whereby Thou hast subdued earth and heaven and caused all things to speak, to strengthen me to stand firm in Thy Cause and in Thy love. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Glorious, the All-Wise.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-08-13 [1881-Jul-11], to Muhammad Taqi -- BH05648)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
83
When thou attainest unto the traces of My Pen, say:
My God, my God! Aid me to remain firm in Thy love and Thy good-pleasure with the greatest steadfastness, and grant me the water of everlasting life from the hand of Thy bounty.
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
84
When thou attainest unto the verses of the Most Exalted Pen, say: "Praise be unto Thee, O Lord of Names, for having made known to me Thy path. I beseech Thee by Thy chosen ones and Thy trusted ones to ordain for me what Thou hast ordained for them.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-12-11 [1887-Aug-31], to Abdur-Rasul -- BH07062)
85
When thou art illumined by the lights of thy Lord's utterance, the All-Merciful, say: Glory be unto Thee, O my God, O Thou Who art the Lord of all existence and the Ruler of the kingdoms! I beseech Thee by the movement of Thy Most Exalted Pen, whereby all things were attracted, and by Thy Name through which Thou didst subdue the kingdom of names, to make me speak forth Thy remembrance and stand firm in Thy love in such wise that neither the doubts of the doubtful nor the signs of the heedless shall hold me back.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 ? [1888-1889], to Aqa Mirza Zaynul-Abidin -- BH02156)
86
O thou who art firm in the Ancient Covenant! Stretch forth thy hands in supplication toward the Kingdom of Glory and the Dawning-Place of Beauty, and say:
Praise be unto Thee, O my Exalted Lord, for what Thou hast bestowed and granted, for how Thou hast fed and quenched, for how Thou hast guided and directed, for how Thou hast preserved and healed.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897-Nov-30, to Ali Rida Khan -- AB07117)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
87
O Aminu's-Sadat! Turn thy face toward the Kingdom of thy Lord and say with the tongue of thy heart: O my Lord! I have turned my face toward Thee, detached from all else save Thee, clinging to the hem of the robe of Thy grandeur.
Make me steadfast in Thy Cause, establish me in Thy remembrance, make me firm in Thy Covenant and Testament, enable me to love Thee, and make me one of Thy righteous servants.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897-Jan-01, to Aminus-Sadat -- AB10251)
88
O thou wondrous branch of the Blessed Tree! Place thy trust in thy Lord, cling to the hem of grandeur, attach thyself to the fringes of the robe of detachment from all save God, be firm in all matters, be devoted unto the All-Glorious, the All-Forgiving, and chant the Preserved Tablet and the Outstretched Parchment.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898 or <, to Mirza Buzurg Afnan Alai -- AB10692)
89
O God! Make us among those who acknowledge Thy unity - there is no God but Him - and who are humble before Thy signs, who worship the All-Merciful and prostrate themselves before Him as Thou hast commanded.
(The Báb, Kitabu'sh-Shahadah, 1262 [1845-1846] -- BB00040)
90
O God, make us among those who acknowledge Your unity - there is no God but Him - and who are humble before Your signs, who worship and prostrate to the Most Merciful as You commanded prostration.
O Lord! O Lord! Illumine the Eyes with the lights of the sun of Reality! Suffer the ears to hear the Voice of the Kingdom of Abha under all circumstances. Make us firm in Thy Cause, submissive before the Throne of Thy Majesty Acknowledging Thy Dominion, arising in Thy Service, engaged in Thy adoration.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Closing prayer of weekly meeting, spoken at 15 Rue de Greuze on 1913-Feb-14 -- ABU2184)
92
O Lord, O Lord, make us firm in Thy Cause, humble before Thy majesty, acknowledging Thy dominion, arising in Thy service and being engaged in Thy adoration.
O my Lord! Graciously assist me to remain faithful and steadfast in Thy Cause amidst all peoples. Aid me to drain the cup of woe, to be immersed beneath an ocean of trials and tribulations, to drink deep from the chalice of affliction, and to be invigorated by the gentle breaths of faithfulness in Thy path, O Thou in Whose grasp are the kingdoms of earth and heaven! Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the Most Exalted.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1895-Aug or <, to Mirza Hadi Shirazi -- AB00738)
94
I beg of Thee, O my God, by those who have fasted for love of Thee and have quaffed the living waters of submission from the hands of Thy bounty, to ordain for Thy loved ones, who under the blaze of the orb of Thy trials have clung to the cord of patience, all the good Thou hast reckoned in Thy Books and Thy Tablets.
I beseech Thee by this Exile who hath been driven from His native land by Thy heedless servants, and by the burning of the hearts of them that are nigh unto Thee in His separation and departure, and by the cry of the hearts of the believers in their yearning for Thee, to make firm the feet of this servant upon the path of Thy love.
I beseech Thee by this Day wherein the Event hath come to pass, the Abyss hath appeared, all creation hath been shaken, and the edifice of the ungodly hath been made to tremble,
to aid Thy loved ones to remain steadfast in Thy Cause.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301-03 [1883-Dec], to Aqa Haydar Ali -- BH06575)
97
I beseech Thee to make me of those whom the swords of tyranny deterred not from turning toward the Daystar of Thy justice, nor the spears of oppression from drawing nigh unto the court of Thy grace.
I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Name to make me steadfast in Thy love in such wise that neither the veils of them that have been heedless of Thy remembrance in Thy days, nor the onslaught of them that have manifested oppression in Thy realm, shall withhold me.
I beseech Thee by the cry of the sincere ones in the wilderness of separation and remoteness, and by the yearning of them that are nigh unto Thee in all regions, and by the Word which Thou hast made a light unto Thy loved ones and a fire unto Thine enemies, and by the Kawthar of Thy utterance which hath flowed from Thy Most Exalted Pen - to make me steadfast in Thy Cause and firm in Thy love, in such wise that the clamor of the heedless may not prevent me, nor the vain imaginings of the aggressive ones, nor the oppression of the tyrannical ones.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305-01-25 [1887-Oct-13], to Mirza Ahmad -- BH05563)
100
I beseech Thee, O Thou through the attraction of Whose verses the sincere hastened to the place of sacrifice and they who are nigh rushed to the assistance of Thy Cause when the clamor was raised - I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Name, through which the limbs of the nations trembled, to assist Thy loved ones to stand firm in Thy Cause and in Thy love.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 [1888-1889], to Aqa Mirza Mumin -- BH08258)
101
O my Lord! Behold Thou Thy lovers in Thy lands, who have trembled at the onslaught of Thine enemies. I beseech Thee, by the light of Thy Countenance and the fire of Thy love, so to attract them by Thine utterance that they may not be affected by Thine enemies, and by the estrangement of the learned amongst Thy creatures who pretend to knowledge without any clear proof from Thee, or testimony on Thy part.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1297-12-15 [1880-Nov-18], to Ibrahim -- BH05559)
102
O my Lord! Aid me in Thy Cause in such wise that the veils of the world shall not prevent me from turning to Thy face, nor shall the doubts of the nations hinder me from standing firm in Thy Cause.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298 ? [1880-1881], to brother of Haji Mulla 'Ali -- BH04792)
103
I beseech Thee, O Creator of the world and Educator of the nations, to make me steadfast in Thy love and firm in Thy Cause in such wise that the doubts of them that have disbelieved in Thee and in Thy signs shall not cause me to slip.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Aqa Mirza Ali Nayib -- BH02304)
104
I beseech Thee by Thy Most Great Name to assist me to be steadfast in such wise that the clamor of the peoples who have denied Thy proof and Thy testimony and have disbelieved in Thy Day which Thou didst announce through the tongue of the Prophets and Messengers shall not hinder me.
Then I beseech Thee, O my God, to assist me in all conditions to manifest Thy Cause in such wise that the winds of trials shall not prevent me, nor the opposition of the followers of religions, and that I may be speaking Thy Name in Thy land and making mention of Thy remembrance among Thy creatures.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Siyyid Muhammad son of Jim -- BH05346)
106
Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Aid this servant of Thine to assist Thy Cause among Thy servants and to establish Thy commandments and ordinances. O my God! Thou art He Who reminded me when I was silent in Thy remembrance. I beseech Thee by the breaths of Thy revelation whereby the cities of justice and fairness were perfumed, and by the light shining forth from the horizon of favor and grace, to make me arise to serve Thy Cause in such wise that the Pharaohs of the days and the tyrants of the peoples will not frighten me.
I beseech Thee by the Source of Verses through which appeared the Kingdom of Thy utterance and the signs of Thy power, might and sovereignty, to aid me to arise to mention Thee and serve Thy Cause in such wise that the imaginings of the learned and the doubts of those who have denied Thy right, broken Thy Covenant, and disputed Thy verses shall not hinder me.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1300-04-27 [1883-Mar-7], to Mirza Muhammad Vazir -- BH06295)
108
I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou hast made me the Qayyum over all names and the Manifestation of Thy signs between earth and heaven, to make me a servant unto Thyself, one who speaks in Thy remembrance, stands firm in Thy Cause, wields power over Thy servants, and holds sway over those in Thy earth and Thy heaven, that I may remain steadfast in manifesting Thy Cause in such wise that the turning away of Thy servants and the cawing of Thy creatures shall not deter me.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Aqa Buzurg -- BH09375)
109
I beseech Thee by Thy Pen which Thou hast made as an ensign for the manifestation of Thy Cause and as a herald of Thy Name amongst Thy servants and as a light unto those who have sought Thy supreme horizon and as darkness and vengeance unto every wicked and vile one.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Abu'lqasim Kharraz Shirazi -- BH05234)
110
Prayer:
O Lord of the Covenant! O Luminary of the horizons! The oppressed 'Abdu'l-Baha has fallen into the hands of those who appear as sheep but are in reality ravenous wolves. They perpetrate every injustice and destroy the foundation of the Covenant while claiming to be Baha'is. They strike at the root of the Tree of the Covenant yet count themselves as oppressed, like the Babis who broke the Covenant of the Bab and from six directions shot arrows of accusations and calumnies at Thy blessed Temple, yet with such great tyranny considered themselves oppressed.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lawh-i-'Ahd va Mithaq (Last Tablet to America), 1921-Nov-14, to Baha'is of the United States -- AB00024)
111
Every evening I lament and cry out, and every morning I call out in prayer: "O Lord! O Kind Creator! Thy servants are scattered and dispersed in all regions and directions, wandering without direction or purpose, caught in a different trap with every breath, and wandering in a different land each day.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Nov-14 or <, to Mirza Muhammad Khansari -- AB03644)
112
O Lord! Aid this servant to remain firm and steadfast in that which is hotter than burning coals, for the hosts of violation have spread and the cloud of wavering has risen and the raven has croaked and souls are in severe trials.
O my God, my God! Aid Thy sincere loved ones to follow the manifest light, and assist Thy near servants to spread Thy fragrances throughout the worlds, that they may, through the promotion of Thy radiant Faith and the dissemination of Thy teachings and the spreading of Thy signs and the proclamation of Thy evidences between the east and west, become distracted from the doubts of the Covenant-breakers.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Mar-04+, to Khayyat, Muhammad (Khusaf) et al -- AB00078)
114
Unite their gathering, honor their abode, and protect them in the cave of Thy Covenant and Testament from the doubts of the Covenant-breakers and the whispers of the wavering ones.
Make us firm and steadfast in Thy Covenant and Testament, preserve us from the arrows of doubts, grant us shelter beneath the shadow of Thy protection and safety, and keep us secure from tests and trials.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Baha'is of Antep -- AB08091)
116
I beseech God to shelter thee and all the friends beneath the protection of His Covenant and Testament.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Muhammad Tahir Malmiri -- AB08149)
117
O Lord! Make his feet firm upon Thy Covenant and Testament, and preserve and protect him in the cave of Thy protection and safeguarding.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or <, to Milani, Mirza Muhammad brother of Ali Akbar Milani -- AB12654)
118
Lord! Make firm my steps on the path of agreement, preserve me from the croakers, make for me a way out, and grant me and Your loved ones from Your mercy, and protect me in the cave of Your protection, for we have no guardian other than You.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Apr-11, to Haji Muhammad Ali Shirazi -- AB01688)
119
O my God! I beseech Thee with all humility, supplication, imploring and contrition to protect this servant from severe tests and trials, and make his feet firm upon Thy extended path, O my Merciful Lord.
How often has he whispered to Thee in the darkness of night, and how often has he called upon Thee in the solitude of days and nights, hoping that Thou would protect him from the arrows of doubts and make his feet firm upon Thy straight path and Thy right way through clear signs and evident glad-tidings.
Beseech Him every morn and eve and supplicate to the Gate of His Oneness to make thee firm and steadfast in the Testament and to guard thee from all calamities, with the eye of His protection, and protect thee from the tests which are (so violent) as the whirlwinds which uproot trees.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or <, to Christ Mrs Olsen -- AB10197)
122
O Lord! Assist Thy loved ones through the protection of Thy mighty stronghold, and through turning to Thy manifest light. Make them firm upon Thy straight path, and cause them to walk in Thy upright way. Preserve them from wavering in Thy mighty Covenant and from vacillation in Thy firm and unshakeable Testament. Verily, Thou art the Preserver, the Guardian, the Protector, the Generous One.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1897-Feb-07, to Mashhadi Hasan -- AB10718)
123
O God! O Thou Who illuminest the faces of those who are steadfast with the lights of the supreme constancy, and Who expandeth the breasts of those who are firm with the holy breaths in the place of sacrifice!
… O my Lord! Preserve him from the arrows of doubts, and the spears of allusions, and the swords of interpretation, through the power of the divine text. Make his heart firm in the Covenant like a building of iron plates.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1896-May-14, to Haji Muhammad Tahir Qandihari -- AB05998)
124
O Lord! Send down upon all the loved ones a tranquility from Thy presence, and make them so firm in the Covenant that their steadfastness may become as missiles hurled against the people of discord. Verily, Thou art the All-Bestowing.
Make them, O my God, steadfast in Thy Covenant and Testament, and firm in Thy Cause and the recognition of Thee, that they may arise to serve Thee. Aid them with Thy triumph, and make them the stars of Thy gifts and missiles against every covenant-breaker and violator in Thy dominion.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of Birjand et al -- AB02461)
126
O Lord! Make me a herald of the Covenant, and a piercing flame against the people of discord, and an arrow penetrating the breast of the hypocrites, and a light shining throughout all regions.
O God! O Thou Who dost strengthen the sincere ones with hosts from the Most Glorious Kingdom and Who dost confirm those firm in Thy Covenant with legions of angels from the Supreme Concourse! This servant, submissive and humble before Thy exalted Threshold, calls upon Thee, supplicating and imploring before Thy Most Great Mercy, taking refuge in the cave of Thy protection and most mighty safekeeping, that Thou wouldst protect him from the evil of enemies and make his word supreme and the word of his foes and adversaries abased, and heal him from his ailments which have weakened his strength and the maladies that have afflicted him with great force. O Lord! Answer his prayer and prepare guidance for his affairs and open unto him the doors of confirmation from heaven and give him to drink from the cup of healing, O Thou Physician of the hearts of those who love Thee and Healer of the breasts of the God-fearing ones and Helper of the weak ones and Confirmer of those among Thy servants who are firm in Thy Covenant and Testament, which is the most firm handle extended from Thy Most Glorious Kingdom. O Lord! He is weak - strengthen him through Thy mighty power, O Master of the last and the first! Verily Thou art the Generous, the Merciful. O my Most Exalted Lord!
19 Safar 1314
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1896-Jul-30, to Isa Bayk -- AB05013)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
128
O my Lord! Thou seest me among Thy servants who have violated Thy Covenant and Testament. I beseech Thee not to disappoint me from the ocean of Thy generosity and the heaven of Thy bounty. Verily Thou art the All-Bountiful, the Generous. There is no God but Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1307 ? [1889-1890], to Mirza Ahmad -- BH07011)
129
O my God! Send Thy blessings upon Thy loved ones who have not broken Thy Covenant and Testament, and whom the Manifestations of Thy power and the Daysprings of Thy might have not prevented.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305-01-25 [1887-Oct-13], to Fatimih Bagum -- BH06025)
130
I beseech Thee by the lights of Thy countenance and by Thy Name which none save Thy knowledge hath comprehended, to number me among such as have fulfilled Thy Covenant and Thy Testament, and have hastened unto Thine all-highest horizon - the Station from which the lights of Thy countenance have shone forth.
I beseech Thee, O Lord of the worlds, by Thy Most Great Name, to make me one of those who have turned towards Thee and hastened until they took the Kawthar of eternity from the hand of Thy bounty and drank in Thy name amongst Thy servants.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306-07-04 [1889-Mar-6], to Rida Khan -- BH05289)
132
We beseech Him, exalted be He, to assist them through the means of the heavens and the earth, to strengthen them in the Most Great Steadfastness, and to draw them nigh unto Him.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1303 ? [1885-1886], to Muhammad Baqir Hai -- BH06375)
133
I beseech Thee, O God of Names and Creator of heaven, to assist Thy loved ones who have cast behind their backs the manifestations of idle fancies and vain imaginings, and have taken hold of that which Thou didst command them in Thy mighty Book. O Lord! Ordain for them every good thing which Thou hast ordained for Thy chosen ones, then adorn them with the ornament of steadfastness in Thy Cause.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305 [1887-1888], to Aqa Muhammad Ali Maz et al -- BH10403)
134
The Book of God, in the likeness of a human temple, crieth aloud in the Kingdom of utterance, and calleth upon its Lord, the All-Merciful, saying: "O God of sovereignty and dominion, and Ruler over the realm of celestial might!"
I beseech Thee by Thy Name through which, when mentioned, the hearts of them that are possessed with longing are set ablaze and the souls of them that are nigh unto Thee hasten unto the ocean of Thy reunion and Thy presence on the Day of the Covenant, to aid Thy male and female servants to stand firm in Thy Cause, and to ordain for them that which befitteth the ocean of Thy bounty.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1294 ? [1876-1877], to Wife of Shaykh Kazim Samandar -- BH09979)
135
I beseech Thee and implore Thee to make firm the footsteps on the most upright path and the greatest course, and to aid those who have rent asunder the veils of doubt and beheld the decisive verses, and drunk the cups of bounties from the hand of the Cup-bearer of grace in the gathering of divine manifestations, and who have chanted the perfect words and called out in the name of the Lord of the most beautiful names and glorious attributes, and who have guided the people to the sweet and flowing spring.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1898-Dec-01, to Baha'is of Khuy -- AB07165)
136
O beloved friends of 'Abdu'l-Baha! Two blessed souls from among the servants of the Most Glorious Beauty attained the blessing of visiting the Sacred Threshold, and placed their foreheads upon the ground, and wailed and lamented, and beseeched steadfastness and constancy for the friends, and entreated and yearned for firmness in the Cause of the Manifest Light.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911 ca., to Aqa Siyyid Isma'il et al -- AB05374)
137
And from the Abha Kingdom thou art beseeched to engage in praise of the Incomparable Lord, for thou hast found repose in the shade of the Tree of the Covenant and hast attained the ultimate hope of the people of God, and hast been accepted in His most holy court.
O Lord! Praise be unto Thee for having given them feet firmly fixed upon the Covenant, for having fulfilled for them Thy promise, for having made them signs of Thy oneness in the world of creation, for having guided them to the manifest light, for having made them steadfast upon the straight path, for having caused them to enter the garden of delight, and for having protected them from the torment of hell.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911 ca., to Spiritual Assembly of Shiraz, Committees et al -- AB12362)
139
O Lord, Lord! These are a band who supplicate to the Kingdom of Thy mercy, and a group who are humble, submissive and devoted before the presence of Thy oneness. Lord! Illumine their faces with the lights of Thy favors, expand their breasts with the verses of Thy unity, and purify their hearts with the water that descendeth from the heaven of Thy lordship.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Asadullah son of Ali Akbar et al -- AB03803)
140
O Lord! I call on Thee with a tongue of lowliness and contrition, with a heart empty and free from pride and vainglory, with anguish, trepidation and desperation, that Thou mayest assist Thy servant, the Chief, to exalt Thy Word in every distant region and in all deep valleys, that he may serve the firm Covenant and attain the highest companionship in Thy exalted Kingdom.
O my God! O my God! These are the company of truth and the band of those firm in the Covenant, the guardians of the Testament in all regions, who supplicate to Thee at eventide and at dawn, who flee from the croaking ones to aid the Covenant, whose faces shall be radiant on the Day of Meeting. Lord! Make them of goodly character, bearers of Thy Word among the people of concord.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-May-29, to Mashhadi Rida et al -- AB12237)
142
O Lord! Make firm their feet, unfurl their banners, heal their ailments, illumine their faces, expand their breasts, refresh their souls, and quicken their hearts through the holy fragrances of Thy sanctity and the sweet-scented breezes of Thy wisdom.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894-Jan-12, to Mashhadi Husayn et al -- AB12330)
143
O my Lord! Make them to be lions in the forests of the Covenant, rain-clouds over the meadows of radiance, fish in the pools of harmony, birds in the garden of holiness, hosts of the Kingdom of the Spirit, delegations to Thy most glorious Paradise, stars in the horizon of Thy supreme favor, waves upon the ocean of Thy mercy amidst all peoples, signs of Thy luminous Scripture, and clear proofs of Thy Book in the kingdom of creation, and words of Thy volumes and tablets of Thy bestowal in this world and the next, that they may voice Thy praise among all the diverse peoples.
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
144
Do Thou assist him, then, with the hosts of earth and heaven, and help, O my God, whosoever helpeth him, choose whosoever chooseth him, and uphold whosoever advanceth towards him. Abandon whosoever denieth him and seeketh him not.