Dear God,

Your houses are numerous.

They are homes that our hearts go to in an effort to find rest. Some of them are bigger than others, some of them are warmer than others, but they are all home.

We go to them to be replenished after the day to day tasks that drain us.

They are not places we ever want to feel fear. Or places we ever want to second guess attending.

They are not places we want to caution our children from attending.

They are not places we want to break apart due to board disputes.

They are not places we want to fight in.

They are not places we want to make all about money.

They ARE places that we want to congregate in to worship you.

Places where we want to sit and remember you.

We won’t always find the kindest members of our family inside but we hope that we can be patient with them and show them the beauty of Islam in our actions.

We want to walk in and feel your presence.

We want to leave with a sense of tranquility that we can only receive from standing side to side in your worship in a place that was built solely for your praise.

Of the 7 shaded on the Day of Judgement will be the one whose heart is connected to your home.

Make us of those that are connected to your home. Make our hearts crave worshipping together, saying your name, reciting your words, and reflecting on your awesomeness as we give salaams to the angels.

Protect them and give us the means to protect ourselves. Make it so that the generations that come after us populate your homes until there is no choice but to expand, and to grow.

Bless us with voices that call others to rest and to eternal success.

Gift our limbs with joy as they enter your home, and allow even the dirt that we trod upon to announce with euphoria that your servant will soon arrive.

Bring us to your homes and bring us to your first home. Help up to build homes so that all of the souls around us have a place to lay their heads down when they are weary.

Ameen.

Rajab 13th, 1440
March 20h, 2019

Your servant,
Arthur K. Richards