A Regular Devotional Meeting in Every Household
In a recent feast letter, the National Spiritual Assembly has set a challenging goal for the American Bahá’í community: “we ask that every Bahá’í household in the nation undertake the hosting of a regular devotional meeting. The members of the National Spiritual Assembly have pledged to do their part, and we lovingly invite you to join us in achieving this vision.”
Currently 25% of the households in the South Central region are hosting regular devotional meetings. Statistics from the Regional Bahá’í Council show that there are approximately 4,000 Bahá’í households in the region, and that there are currently just over 1,000 regular devotional meetings. We can increase this participation toward 100% through the personal initiatives of Bahá’í families throughout our area.
Significance and Benefits of Devotional Meetings
The Universal House of Justice (quoted in the National Assembly’s 2020 Ridván message) inspires us to realize the spiritual benefits that our families, friends and neighbors can obtain when we host devotional meetings in our homes:
“Devotional meetings are occasions where any soul may enter, inhale the heavenly fragrances, experience the sweetness of prayer, meditate upon the Creative Word, be transported on the wings of the spirit, and commune with the one Beloved. Feelings of fellowship and common cause are generated, particularly in the spiritually heightened conversations that naturally occur at such times and through which the “city of the human heart” may be opened. By convening a gathering for worship at which adults and children of any background are welcome, the spirit of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is evoked in any locality.”
How to Host a Devotional Meeting
Devotional meetings have no predesigned format or agenda. Families are encouraged to creatively incorporate the richness of the cultural makeup of their neighborhoods, and to celebrate unity as they foster inclusion and loving relationships through prayer and fellowship.
Devotional meetings can become portals to other types of gatherings, such as potluck suppers, firesides, children’s classes, Jr. Youth programs, study circles, and service projects. Meaningful conversations can take place in this safe and loving environment. Neighbors become close friends and helpmates. Children and the elderly are included and valued. Neighborhoods become close communities, where everyone knows each other, looks out for one another, and warm relationships are cherished.
Share the Story of Your Devotional Meeting
Whether your devotional meeting is longstanding or brand new, please share your story with us to inspire and encourage others. As we learn from each other, we can creatively design our own devotions based on the realities of our family and neighborhoods. As we expand this network, we will reap the bounties of our efforts to raise up vibrant outward-looking communities and to “release the society-building power of the Faith in ever-greater measures.”
Story Submission (https://southcentralcouncil.org/?page_id=7656)
Our Duty and Privilege
As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has encouraged us: “Ye observe to what a degree the world is in continual turmoil and conflict, and to what a pass its nations have now come. . . . It is your duty to be exceedingly kind to every human being, and to wish him well; to work for the upliftment of society; to blow the breath of life into the dead; to act in accordance with the instructions of Bahá’u’lláh and walk His path ― until ye change the world of man into the world of God.”