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Purpose

To illuminate sections of the participants' prayer book, or other Holy Text, to personalize the book.    

Materials

Magic markers, small photos of Abdu'l-Baha, glue.  Optional items are stickers, gold/silver gel pens, colored pencils, rubber stamps with various colored ink pads, etc.

Time Period

Set aside 30 minutes for this activity.  It can also be completed over two sessions if the participants want to spend more time on illumination.

Steps

1.  Ask participants to bring in their prayer books or any other book they would like to illuminate.  Some participants have brought in The Hidden Words, the Daybook, and other Baha'i books.

2.   Participants can illuminate or decorate any section or sections they choose.   Many participants like to paste the small picture of Abdu'l-Baha at the beginning of their prayer book.

3.  Some participant prefer not to illuminate their prayer books (or forget to bring them), so have some prayer cards on-hand so they can still participate.

Notes

A seeker attending our Study Circle asked each participant to illuminate their favorite prayer in his prayer book.  He cherishes his new prayer book! 

A prayer book illuminated by participants of the Study Circle is a wonderful gift for a family member, friend or new Baha'i.

Several individuals who have illuminated their prayer books have shared that it helps personalize their prayer book and focuses them on their prayers.

Other Applications

Prayer book illumination can be used for many activities, for Book 1 / Unit 2 (Prayer), or illuminating the section on "For the Departed" during Book 1 / Unit 3 (Life and Death).  Or when studying Teaching the Cause in Book 6, illuminating the Teaching prayers in the prayer book or the Tablets of the Divine Plan.