O God! O Thou Who givest! This congregation is turning to
Thee, casting their glances toward Thy Kingdom and favor, longing to behold the
lights of Thy face. O God! Bless this nation. Confirm this government. Reveal
Thy glory unto this people and confer upon them life eternal. O God! Illumine
the faces, render the hearts radiant, exhilarate the breasts, crown the heads
with the diadem of Thy providence, cause them to soar in Thy pure atmosphere so
they may reach the highest pinnacles of Thy splendor. Assist them in order that
this world may ever find the light and effulgence of Thy presence. O God!
Shelter this congregation and admonish this nation. Render them progressive in
all degrees. May they become leaders in the world of humanity. May they be
Thine examples among humankind. May they be manifestations of Thy grace. May
they be filled with the inspiration of Thy Word. Thou art the Powerful. Thou
art the Mighty. Thou art the Giver, and Thou art the Omniscient.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 5 May, 1912, Chicago, Illinois;
‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during
His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
