June 18, 2023 will mark 40 years since 10 Baha’i women were hanged in Shiraz. Their only ‘crime’ was their refusal to renounce their beliefs in a faith that promotes the principles of gender equality, unity, justice, and truthfulness. This collection highlights Baha’i Blog content relating to the ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Baha’i Blog’s “Studio Sessions” is an initiative where we invite Baha’is and their friends from around the world to come into a studio and share the Baha’i Writings put to music.
In this Baha’i Blog Studio Session, Gary Sterling sings “Midnight Prayer” based on a prayer by Abdu’l-Baha.
This song was filmed and recorded in Sydney, Australia, January 2016.
O Lord, I have turned my face unto Thy kingdom of oneness and am immersed in the sea of Thy mercy. O Lord, enlighten my sight by beholding Thy lights in this dark night, and make me happy by the wine of Thy love in this wonderful age. O Lord, make me hear Thy call, and open before my face the doors of Thy heaven, so that I may see the light of Thy glory and become attracted to Thy beauty.
Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Generous, the Merciful, the Forgiving.
Abdu’l-Baha
Chords
G E G
O LORD I HAVE TURNED MY FACE TOWARD THE KINGDOM OF
E
ONENESS,
C D MINOR G
AND AM IMMERSED IN THE SEA OF THY MERCY,
G E G
O LORD ENLIGHTEN MY SIGHT, BY BEHOLDING THY LIGHT IN THIS
E
DARK NIGHT,
C D MINOR
AND MAKE ME HAPPY, BY THE WINE OF THY LOVE IN THIS
G
WONDERFUL AGE
G E G
O LORD, MAKE ME HEAR THY CALL AND OPEN BEFORE MY FACE
E
THE DOORS OF THY HEAVENS,
C D MINOR
SO THAT I MAY SEE THE LIGHT OF GLORY, AND BECOME
G E
ATTRACTED, TO THY BEAUTY,
G E
VERILY THOU ART THE GIVER
G
THE GENEROUS
E
THE MERCIFUL
C D MINOR
THE FORGIVING
G TO E
THE FORGIVING
You can also download the audio version of this song from Baha’i Blog’s Soundcloud page here:
Through 15 years of experience, Laura has honed a growing repertoire as a producer and media artist. Her media skills include film production, video editing and photography and as a producer she has led numerous creative projects, as well as managed and organized small and large scale events. Laura also helps deliver content to audiences through compelling and effective digital strategies including marketing approaches through design and web products. She currently lives in Toronto, Canada with her two children.
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Great. I can feel the meaning of the prayer and longing heart.
Peter (February 2, 2016 at 9:54 AM)
Excellent arrangement Gary!!
Terry McVay (February 2, 2016 at 7:19 PM)
Beautiful!
Neda (February 2, 2016 at 9:46 PM)
Beautiful voice.
Pixi Robertson (February 2, 2016 at 8:58 PM)