National Bahá’í Schools

Ideas from the Committees—Inspiring Devotional Programs

“Candle Prayer Circle” from Kalimát National Bahá’í School (Ohio)

For an emotion-filled devotional experience at the end of an evening, imagine this — and then try it, inviting those who wish to remain for a moving devotional experience to do so, excusing any who don’t wish to stay:

Melodic music filled the room as lights were dimmed and instructions were given. The participants formed groups of 18 by placing 9 chairs in a circle together (creating as many circles throughout the room as needed for their numbers) so that 9 friends sat in the chairs in each circle, and another 9 each stood behind one of the seated friends. (Extra friends could watch, and then join a circle after one round.)

Battery-operated candles (safer than the real ones) were distributed to each of the standing members. The standing friends also were each given a verse printed on a small card. (These were especially beautiful writings, such as excerpts from Hidden Words and prayers. Examples: “Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart” and “Make of me a pure heart, like unto a pearl”. There were at least 18 different verses, and then enough sets of those verses to give a set to each circle of 18 friends.)

Friends who were seated were asked to close their eyes during the entire experience, just listening and feeling blessed. The standing friends were asked to place their hand on the shoulder of the person seated in front of them. The melodic music continued throughout. When the room was silent of motion and voices, those who were standing began: each person bent down and softly whispered their verse in the ear of their seated partner. Pausing, each standing person then moved to their right, placed their hand on the next seated person’s shoulder, and whispered their verse in that person’s ear. In a slow, measured pace around the circle, each standing friend gave their verse to 9 different friends, until they were back to where they had begun. Each seated friend had the beautiful, moving experience of feeling a loving hand on their shoulder, and then a soft voice speaking sacred words in their ear, 9 different times. The effect overall in the room was lovely, as many hushed, reverent murmurings could be heard softly through the lilting background music.

After a reverent pause, the friends were invited to change places: those who were seated now stood, and those who had stood now sat in a chair and became the recipient of this gift of verses. New cards were distributed to the friends now standing, and when ready, the process began again.

Many faces had tears streaming down; many hearts felt as if they were in heaven.

To learn more about this devotional program, write to the Kalimát Bahá’í School Committee at: bahjblue@sbcglobal.net

Visit their website at: www.kalimatsummerschool.com

[back to Ideas from the Committees]