Bringing oneself to account
From Bahai9
Contents |
References
- Hidden Words from the Arabic, no. 31
- Summons of the Lord of Hosts, Súriy-i-Mulúk, par. 69 (also in Promised Day Is Come, par. 92) (re: "Bring thyself to account...")
Thanking God for progress, repenting, and asking assistance for future progress (every morning)
"...Every day, in the morning when arising one should compare today with yesterday and see in what condition you are. If you see your belief is stronger and your heart more occupied with God and your love increased and your freedom from the world greater then thank God and ask for the increase of these qualities. You must begin to pray and repent for all that you have done which is wrong and you must implore and ask for help and assistance that you may become better than yesterday so that you may continue to make progress."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. VIII, No. 6, p. 68; quoted in Lights of Guidance, p. 457, no. 1485)
Possible outline of the above
"...Every day, in the morning when arising one should
- compare today with yesterday and see in what condition you are.
- If you see your belief is stronger and your heart more occupied with God and your love increased and your freedom from the world greater then thank God and ask for the increase of these qualities.
- You must begin to pray and repent for all that you have done which is wrong and
- you must implore and ask for help and assistance that you may become better than yesterday so that you may continue to make progress."
Possible further summarization
1) thank God for any progress, 2) repent of bad actions, and 3) ask for assistance to improve for the future.
