March 5

O Divine Providence! As I am abstaining from bodily desires and not occupied with eating and drinking, even so purify and sanctify my heart from the love of anyone save Thyself and shield and protect my soul from corrupt desires and satanic qualities so that my spirit may commune with the breaths of holiness and fast from the mention of all else besides Thee. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk in Akka, ‘Table Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Baha’; Corinne True, booklet published by Baha’i Publishing Society, Chicago 1907; revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre in ‘Fasting a Baha’i Handbook, by Duane Herrmann)