Prayer teaches the solace, joy that can come from God

By Marcia Veach
FROM HEART TO HEART for The Register-Guard
May 12, 2007

Among the joys and blessings in my life I count my family, my friends, my work and my faith. But on those days when none of the first three seem to be much of a blessing or joy, on those days when the alarm rings and I want to pull the covers over my head, on those days when every time I try to take a nap the phone rings and every phone call I need to make leads me through a maze of menu items only to arrive at hold, and on those days when guests are expected for dinner and at the last minute I discover we’re out of salt, I turn to a very special prayer that I learned from the sacred writings of my faith—the Bahá’í Faith. This prayer begins, “Refresh and gladden my spirit…” Those few words are like the first sip of cool water on a day that’s way too hot. And just as I know that glass still has plenty of rejuvenating liquid in it, I know that this prayer has more uplifting words.

First it reminds me that, whether my burden is large or small, I don’t have to carry it all by myself: “I lay all my affairs in thy hand.” Then it reminds me that I don’t have to feel lost in the chaos that my life feels like: “Thou art my guide and my refuge.” And then it helps me remember that the sorrows or frustrations I’m experiencing or the grief I feel doesn’t have to drag me down. And perhaps most importantly on those days when the newspaper, television and radio seem to have nothing good to say and the world seems to be filled to the brim with fear and bitterness, divisiveness and anger, I don’t have to be filled with anxiety. I can go back to that glass of cool water, take another sip, and, instead of being sorrowful and grieved, I can be a “happy and joyful being.” And I really don’t have to be “full of anxiety” especially if I stop “dwelling on the unpleasant things of life.” That’s big key for me—to stop wallowing in all the ugliness. This doesn’t mean I should stick my head in the sand, but it does mean that, for today, I can take some fear and anger and bitterness out of the stew in the world and add a smile or a kind word, instead. Mmmm-mm. Now that’s tasty!

Finally this special prayer from the Bahá’í sacred writings, which I have memorized, so it’s always with me, says, “Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.” This is the most important thing to remember: God is always there for me and always has my best interests at heart. This prayer contains the words of God, the words that are in my best interest. I just have to remember them, and then I really do feel like a “happy and joyful being.”

Marcia Veach is the public information representative for the Eugene/Springfield area Bahá’í communities.