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Looking for a prayer for a family ridden by suicide

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:01 am
by Eveline
Hello Dear Friends,

I am looking for a prayer for a family that has lost their son to suicide. I too have lost my brother to suicide ten years ago and I feel the need to send a prayer.

Any suggestions?

Evie

Re: Looking for a prayer for a family ridden by suicide

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:34 pm
by Truth
Hey Eveline,

I too have been through the depths of depression and gotten to the stage where the only way i thought out was to end it all. The worst pain I've ever experienced by far. I was one of the fortunate ones that was able to get help.

I was given a prayer book at the time by someone very close to me called "healing the soul". It has prayers and the writings on matters of comfort in sorrow, and renewal. To this day I've cherish the prayer book, and took it on pilgrimage with me. It's really comforting to me, and I'd recommend it for certain.

http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Soul-Sele ... 1890688339

Re: Looking for a prayer for a family ridden by suicide

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:01 pm
by Eveline
Thank you for the info, I will get right on it.

I am so glad that you have been able to get help, because it is so hard on the families. Ten years after my brothers suicide it still hurts so bad and I wish I could touch him only one more time or see him smile one more time.

Please stay well...

Evie

Re: Looking for a prayer for a family ridden by suicide

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:48 pm
by Truth
It really makes me realize why the faith emphasizes the importance of family. Without my mum, i don't know how i could have crawled back to a sane state of mind. My dad was sort of a "pull your socks up" kind of man, but when he saw how badly i was crippled, he made the best effort he could to understand by doing some research into mental health.

My poor mum felt so helpless, watching me sit there in a big heap and cry all day and night, but she helped me back on my feet. With the help of my doctors and psychologists, i'm back fighting fit and never ever want to go back to that dark state of mind again. I would never wish it on anyone.

It's great that you're helping where you can with others experiencing the same sort of thing. There were some great quotes here... http://www.planetbahai.org/cgi-bin/arti ... icle=173... That i found in relation to mental illness. It was sort of reassuring to read. There's something soothing about the guardians first quote...

Let us hope . . . scientists will find better and permanent cures for the mentally afflicted. But in this world such an illness is truly a heavy burden to bear!
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, 12 April 1948)

Re: Looking for a prayer for a family ridden by suicide

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:53 pm
by pilgrimbrent
This Tablet might be of assistance.
Brent

O thou seeker of the Kingdom! Thy letter was received. Thou hast written of the severe calamity that hath befallen thee -- the death of thy respected husband. That honourable man hath been so subjected to the stress and strain of this world that his greatest wish was for deliverance from it. Such is this mortal abode: a storehouse of afflictions and suffering. It is ignorance that binds man to it, for no comfort can be secured by any soul in this world, from monarch down to the most humble commoner. If once this life should offer a man a sweet cup, a hundred bitter ones will follow; such is the condition of this world. The wise man, therefore, doth not attach himself to this mortal life and doth not depend upon it; at some moments, even, he eagerly wisheth for death that he may thereby be freed from these sorrows and afflictions. Thus it is seen that some, under extreme pressure of anguish, have committed suicide.

As to thy husband, rest assured. He will be immersed in the ocean of pardon and forgiveness and will become the recipient of bounty and favour. Strive thine utmost to give his child a Bahá'í training so that when he attaineth maturity he may be merciful, illumined and heavenly.
(Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 200)