rmly believe that Thou hast a
greater compassion on them than they have on their own selves, though I
recognize that Thou hast afflicted them for no other purpose except to
proclaim Thy Cause, and to enable them to ascend into the heaven of Thine
eternity and the precincts of Thy court, yet Thou knowest full well the
frailty of some of them, and art aware of their impatience in their
sufferings.

Help them through Thy strengthening grace, I beseech Thee, O my God, to
suffer patiently in their love for Thee, and unveil to their eyes what
Thou hast decreed for them behind the Tabernacle of Thine unfailing
protection, so that they may rush forward to meet what is preordained for
them in Thy path, and may vie in hasting after tribulation in their love
towards Thee. And if not, do Thou, then, reveal the standards of Thine
ascendancy, and make them to be victorious over Thine adversaries, that
Thy sovereignty may be manifested unto all the dwellers of Thy realm, and
the power of Thy might demonstrated amidst Thy creatures. Powerful art
Thou to do what Thou willest. No God is there but Thee, the Omniscient,
the All-Wise.

Make steadfast Thou, O my God, Thy servant who hath believed in Thee to
help Thy Cause, and keep him safe from all dangers in the stronghold of
Thy care and Thy protection, both in this life and in the life which is to
come. Thou, verily, rulest as Thou pleasest. No God is there save Thee,
the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

XCV: "GLORIFIED ART THOU, O LORD MY GOD! RAIN DOWN,..."

Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Rain down, I beseech Thee, from the
clouds of Thine overflowing grace, that which shall cleanse the hearts of
Thy servants from whatever may prevent their beholding Thy face, or may
prevent them from turning unto Thee, that they may all recognize Him Who
is their Fashioner and Creator. Help them, then, O God, to reach forth,
through the power of Thy sovereign might, towards such a station that they
can readily distinguish every foul smell from the fragrance of the raiment
of Him Who is the Bearer of Thy most lofty and exalted name, that they may
turn with all their affections toward Thee, and may enjoy such intimate
communion with Thee that if all that is in heaven and on earth were given
them they would regard it as unworthy of their notice, and would refuse to
cease from remembering Thee and from extolling Thy virtues.

Shield, I pray Thee, O my Beloved, my heart's Desire, Thy s