During this season of Thanksgiving, when our hearts are full, we can voice our gratitude through prayer. Baha'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith, teaches that the best prayers are those expressing loving praise for God. In many Baha'i prayers God is praised by names associated with generosity: the Giver, the Bestower, the All-Bountiful, the Most-Generous, the Source of all Sources.
Are you looking for a Baha’i prayer to use at your Thanksgiving table? Consider one of these by 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, as recorded in Mahmud’s diary, which chronicles 'Abdu'l-Baha's 1912 journey to America:
Please
email
to let the editorial team know if you have questions, comments or ideas for upcoming features. We'd love to hear from you. On behalf of the team, I wish you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving. —Joyce Litoff, Editor
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"A Rich Tapestry" video looks at this pivotal time for America
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American society is passing through trying times and struggling to find common ground around a shared sense of values and vision for the future. As divisions widen, long-standing tensions, bigotry and prejudices rise to the surface.
The spiritual roots of these conditions—materialism, moral decay and racial prejudice—are the focus of a letter written by the elected national governing body of the Baha’is of the United States in February 2017. The first of a new video series delves deeper into these concepts.
In the letter, the National Spiritual Assembly asserts its belief in “the fundamental goodness and decency of the masses of our fellow-citizens,” who “desire genuine justice and prosperity for everyone.” The letter urges us all to work together in our neighborhoods to develop spiritually-based patterns of community life, and to engage with each other in enriching public discourse and collective social action.
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Baha'i Studies conference focuses on work of advancing civilization
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The Association for Baha'i Studies is an organization that promotes advanced study of the Baha'i Faith and its application to the needs of humanity. In September, 1,400 gathered for the group's annual meeting, this year in Atlanta. The Rev. Andrew Young, American civil rights icon and diplomat, was a guest speaker.
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From
Brilliant Star
Magazine
For Kids:
For Parents and Teachers:
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Upcoming
Baha’i
Holy Days
Birth of the Bab
—
Nov. 9
Birth of Baha
’
u
’
llah
—
Nov. 10
Day of the Covenant
—Nov. 26
Ascension of ’Abdu’l-Baha—Nov. 28
The Baha'i Faith was founded by two Divine Educators, the Bab and Baha'u'llah, Who lived during the 1800s in Persia. Annual celebrations of Their births are observed on two consecutive days, the "Twin Holy Birthdays."
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One of the most important roles 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, took on was to serve as the leader of the young Baha'i Faith after Baha'u'llah died in 1892, which protected the Faith from schism. He is honored for this undertaking on the annual "Day of the Covenant." In addition, 'Abdu'l-Baha's life is memorialized each November in the observance of His Ascension. He died in Palestine in 1921 at the age of 77.
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To learn about Baha'i observances of these holy days near you,
connect online
or call
800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483).
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'Abdu'l-Baha surrounded by friends in Stuttgart, Germany, 1913. His unique role as the "Center of the Covenant" is celebrated on November 26th.
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Online "Firesides"
You can participate in online introductory discussions about the Baha'i Faith.
Register
for Monday,
Nov. 12 or Nov. 26
. 9:00 pm Eastern; 8:00 pm Central; 6:00 pm Pacific.
Connect anytime
Do you have a particular question about the Baha'i Faith?
Let us know
if you'd like to talk with a Baha'i, request free literature, or find Baha'is near you.
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National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
enewsletter@bahai.us | www.bahai.us
800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483)
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