Praise and glory be to Thee, O Lord my God! This is a choice
sapling which Thou hast planted in the meads of Thy love and hast nurtured with
the fingers of Thy Lordship. Thou hast watered it from the wellspring of
everlasting life which streameth forth from the gardens of Thy oneness and Thou
hast caused the clouds of Thy tender mercy to shower Thy favors upon it. It
hath now grown and developed beneath the shelter of Thy blessings which are
manifest from the Dayspring of Thy divine essence. It hath burst forth into
leaves and blossoms, is laden with fruit through the providence of Thy wondrous
gifts and bounties and is stirred by the fragrant breeze wafting from the
direction of Thy loving-kindness.
O Lord! Cause this sapling to become verdant, fresh and
flourishing by the outpourings of Thy special bounty and favor, wherewith Thou
hast endued the tabernacles of holiness in Thy eternal Kingdom and hast adorned
the essences of unity in the arena of reunion.
O Lord! Assist him through Thy strengthening grace which
proceedeth from Thine invisible Kingdom, aid him with such hosts as are hidden
from the eyes of Thy servants and grant that he may have a sure footing in Thy
presence. Unloose his tongue to make mention of Thee and gladden his heart to
celebrate Thy praise. Illumine his face in Thy Kingdom, prosper him in the
realm above and graciously confirm him to serve Thy Cause.
Thou art the All-Powerful, the All-Glorious, the Omnipotent.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (‘Baha’i Prayers’, 1992 edition)
