"CREATE in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope!" This is the opening line of one of my favourite prayers in my Baha’i Prayer Book. Creating unity, harmony, peace in the world is the global vision of Baha’u’llah of the Baha’i Faith. This starts with each person creating this within themselves, and as a Baha’i, this means to me, saying prayers, reading from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, forging a spiritual relationship and understanding of the world that can renew a positive outlook on life.

Creating a strong pillar within, a lit candle with a flame that cannot be blown out. I feel uplifted after praying, and it naturally spreads good cheer to my family, neighbourhood, town, city, country and world. "Bestow upon me a heart which, like unto a glass, may be illumined with the light of Thy love, and confer upon me thoughts which may change this world into a rose garden through the outpourings of heavenly grace."

In this day of Facebook and many other avenues of social media which do provide connection to others, it is also nice to be able to connect to my inner self, to be quiet, reflective and meditate on holy writings. Baha’is worldwide, each community working towards peace, all have the common foundation of prayer. The prayer that I began with ends "O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!" From the visible to the invisible.

Kathy Gilman, Kendal Baha’i Group