The prayer of the true lover of humanity is not that he, as an individual, may escape poverty, ill-health or disaster, but that mankind may be saved from ignorance and error and the ills that inevitably flow from them.

If he wishes health or wealth for himself, it is in order that he may serve the Kingdom, and if physical health and wealth are denied him, he accepts his lot with "radiant acquiescence," well knowing that there is a right wisdom in whatever befalls him in the Path of God.
'Abdu'l-Baha says:-- Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance; they are sent by the Divine Mercy for our perfecting.

When grief and sorrow come, then will a man remember his Father Who is in Heaven, Who is able to deliver him from his humiliations.

The more a man is chastened, the greater is the harvest of spiritual virtues shown forth by him.
At first sight it may seem very unjust that the innocent should suffer for the guilty, but 'Abdu'l-Baha assures us that the injustice is only apparent and that, in the long run, perfect justice prevails.

He writes:-- As to the subject of babes and children and weak ones who are afflicted by the hands of the oppressors ...