Third and final article in a series by Dorothy Riordan, commissioned by the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland
‘There is nothing sweeter in the world of existence than prayer.’ (Abdu’l Bahá)
The following stories speak for themselves.
or the past few months, on Tuesday nights Junior Youth Animators have been facilitating junior youth sessions in Short Strand Community Centre. Meanwhile in another room, a women’s group meets. They became interested in what was going on. The opportunity arose to hold a devotional gathering especially for this group. This took place on 11 April in the form of a tranquillity evening. It was arranged by Afnan Hashemi-Zadeh and supported by Wendy and Tara Byrne. Music, short and meaningful readings from the world scriptures on developing and acquiring virtues, were enhanced by the evocative rose and peach-scented candles that glowed in the semi-darkness and created an atmosphere of reflection and meditation. Afterwards, the women chatted informally in small groups about the readings. One woman’s sister had died the previous week. This was her first time out of the house since; drawn to the meeting in the knowledge that it was a gathering for prayer and meditation.
Following a Mass held in Soha Graham’s school for the students, a discussion among the final year students led to Soha asking and receiving permission to hold regular devotional meetings for the students. Two have been held so far and have been well attended. At the second meeting, four teachers also attended. The prayers and readings had a profound impact on them. One, a study supervisor, took a prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to copy it for all the exam students; another, the head of RE so taken with the inspiring words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, borrowed three of the ‘Jewel’ booklets.
A mother who is learning about the Faith and whose daughter attends a regular children’s class tells how her six year old conducted a devotional for both her parents. They were invited to sit on cushions she had prepared and she played some music. When Daddy started to read the prayer too soon, she explained to them that they must each read their prayer when their turn came and there would be a pause between each. An example of how we should never underestimate children! These devotional gatherings did not come about through happenstance. They are the fruits of arising to serve.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá assures us that ‘…… anyone who will rise up in the Cause of God at this time shall be filled with the spirit of God, and that He will send His hosts from heaven to help you, and that nothing shall be impossible to you if you have faith’. Sharing the prayers and Writings of our Faith is an organic, powerful and uplifting experience. We know this. Let us let others in on the secret.
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