Defining Ises and its Importance

Buruk Fikir!
Blessed Love my Royal Sistren.

As some of I and I prepare to enter into Sabbath once again, I offer a reasoning (from my RasTafari Book of Ises) on the meaning and importance of Ises. No woman is as strong as she can be if she doesn't have the power of Ises and Communion with JAH in her mind, body and soul. Ises is so many things - a rejuvenation, a hope, a cleanse, a thanksgiving, a joyful noise, a comfort...it is the right medicine for every ailment or the right answer for every question.
Ises was one of the most important things to Empress Menen and Emperor Haile Sellassie I as well. They prayed everyday and held the Church and priests close to Their home. A Chapel was necessary wherever They lived, so They could pray in private. Empress Menen used prayer as Her secret weapon during the war with Italy - She dedicated Her crown to the Church in prayer, for victory in Ethiopia. Her prayers were answered favourably! To me, in many aspects of Their lives, JAH RasTafari displayed honour, submission and reverence for the service of the Almighty JAH but Ises or prayer was the most personal and the most relied upon show of faith, love and duty.

So...what is prayer, why is it important for and to mankind?

      The Ethiopian Feta Nagast states that “prayer is the talking of man to the Highest God, whereby he thanks Him, praises Him, and recognizes His domain, confessing his sin and seeking on his part the way of pleasing Him” (Strauss 2002, pg. 88). This is a general summary of the different aspects and purposes of praises or worship which each individual must embrace in their Iritual relationship with JAH.
      Ises is the Rastafari word sound for “Giving Praise(s).” As the Feta Nagast quote says, we use prayer to talk to God and seek instruction or revelation from HIM. It is hence a language of communication between Isra’el and JAH where instruction, comfort and answers are received. In fact, Ises is the portal to communion with the Irit and Presence of JAH in the conscience, Tabernacle and in Earth. Rastafari know the God of Flesh and God of Irit become one through Ises, and through Righteousness. With both these Gifts of the Hola Irit, the presence of JAH Rastafari in the hearts of our flesh and Irits is made known to I and I in a healing and illuminating way. One of the greatest sacrifices of Ises, is to beseech God's goodness, healing and illuminating powers for the sake of others and not only ourselves.
       There are many verses of the Holy Bible which can describe more the relationship we have with JAH through Ises and therefore add an overall overstanding on the important purposes of Giving Ises in Isra’el. It is clear that Ises is the first pillar of the Ethiopian Hebrew Israelite Nazirene Faith and Livity because it is an act of service rendered to Jahovah out of partnership, love, reverence, humility and honesty. The Old Testament is filled with ensamples of Israelites worshipping, how they organized themselves to do such, and the reasons behind worship according to their relationship with Jahovah – think about the weeklong ceremony and vigil that brought down the wall of Jericho. The Book of Psalms is the Judahite and Levite (or throne and temple) compilation of poems and hymns of Ises. The Israelite way of giving Ises is therefore very oral and vocal, something that is communal. The Psalms state that Ises is a time of thanksgiving unto JAH, the fruit of our lips, our song of Ises, our cry, meditation and supplication.
      Thanksgiving is a sacrifice of praise. Jonah, in chapter 2 verse 9 said “I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” Solomon in Proverbs 15:8 said that “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” Jeremiah 33:10-11 also speaks about the joy in bringing these thanksgiving sacrifices into the House of the Lord in honour of the marriage of the Iritual bride and bridegroom.
     Ises as a sacrifice is therefore an important component of the Temple or Tabernacle, or in RasTafari: Taba. The House of the Lord was not built for blood sacrifice but for this sacrifice through prayer, for Ises. In the Ible it was the place where the Levites glorified the Tabernacle of Zion or the Ark of the Covenant which houses the Word of Jahovah. The Word of JAH was known in His sacred house through praise. The Taba as the House of the Lord is the physical altar structure built by man for the purpose of housing and congregating worship. But it is not the true house of prayer – the fleshly sanctuary of the Word and Irit of JAH is righteous Man and Wombman. Because man was built to manifest and serve JAH as His and Her Image, it follows that our Ises sacrifices and righteous deeds are our true incense before the Lord.
        In the Tabernacles of JAH and flesh, Ises is used for confessing our sin and seeking the ways that we could please JAH, as stated in the Feta Nagast. These are together acts of “beseeching God” and hoping that our prayers are answered by taking up the commitment to repentance. Confessing sin before JAH is an acknowledgement of wrong-doing which is a duty of every faithful member of the Church to perform in the, or in their personal Taba by means of Ises. Because we are honest enough to know that we need to confess our weakness, Ises is for many of us, about beseeching or asking God for His Holy Irit which can provide help, instruction, patience, mercy and prosperity/fortune.
       Whether Ises is given silently or while worshipping together, single-mindedness is necessary. The focus should be solely on the task and purpose at hand. Ises must be genuine and confidently engaged in.
      As mentioned, Ises (praises) or prayer is the medium through which we acknowledge the Source, course and perfection of life, the Hola Irit and the Word of JAH. Through it we are also able to spiritually connect to the Covenant of Ithiopia's Isra'el, which was carried by the lineage of King David as passed from Solomon to his Kushite son Emperor Menelik I; which was then extended to I and I Ithiopian Diasporan Beta Isra'elites through Menelik's “son” Emperor Haile Selassie I. Ises is given to Inite and Selabrate Rastafari union and communion with this Solomonic passage of the Irit of the Kristos (kr-eye-stos) and the Male and Female God-Head of Ithiopia's Isra’el. It is the moment in which I and I hail JAH RasTafari Qedamawi Haile Selassie and Itegue Qedamawit Wollete Giyorgis (Empress Menen) and acknowledge Their supremacy in righteousness as the Elect of Jahovah, Leaders of our Resurrection, Redemption and Repatriation. Ises is our freedom from spiritual and physical poverty and slavery when we use it to honour the Messianic works in Ithiopia's Isra’el.                                                 

As I and I call upon Them in Ises, I and I speak the language of the Kristos and partake in such Royal Black Ivinity. Ises is therefore for Ithiopia Afrika; the Iditation which keeps us on the right path, and the force behind our spiritual and physical deliverance from Babylon (Roman Christianity, Judaism, and White Supremacy as led by England and America).
      Rastafari must use Ises to excel in the famous quote “Forward ever, backwards never.” Ises is necessary for Rastafari to keep chanting down the spirit of Belial/Beliar or Satan, carnality, sin, death and corruption as manifested in our present time in paganism (all white and idolatrous religion) and white supremacy (mainstream), so that we may never look back upon our former wrong-doing with admiration or longing. We sacrifice the wrong in preference of pleasing the Lord God and doing what is right for ourselves and children as a race.
      There are many other worthy and important purposes of Ises that can be considered and explored not just by Rastafari, but by everyone who seeks some kind of well-being or positive reinforcement in their life.

Ises as a working power of JAH and Spirit in our lives, does many beneficial things for humanity:

• creates peace within and around I and I through Iditation and positivity
• channels the Hola Irit which creates health and wholeness in our minds & bodies
• pacifies our temper and wrath
• allows clarity and truth to shine through chaos so that our questions are answered
• helps us to change our lives and the lives of others
• gives new direction to the exiled, lost and corrupt
• builds steadfast faith over doubt and weakness
• builds hope to conquer poverty and achieve endeavours
• builds courage and strength over fear and despair, and
• adorns us with protection, prosperity and success.

                                             The Hebrew Scriptures on Ises

      All Hebrews prayed and talked to their Living God Jahovah in the Bible, and they in their histories proved the benefits of and reasons for Ises; as they exalted JAH and were able to achieve by prayer: Hannah, Elijah, Yesus, Ezra, Maryam, Moses, Abraham, Daniel, David and the list goes on. The following verses show why they prayed, why Jahovah wants and expects prayer from Isra'el, and highlight other points made previously on Ises:

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. (Isaiah 43:21)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You. I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day. (Psalm 71:5-8)

He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see his face with joy,
For He restores to man His righteousness. (Job 33:26)

For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.  Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:14-15)

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:4)

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord [JAH Rastafari Sela]. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. (James 5:13)

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. (Psalm 47:1-2, 6-7)

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.

(Psalm 34:13)

Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

(Psalm 147:1)

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

(Psalm 107:8)

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. (Psalm 48:1)

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.

(Psalm 50:23)

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

(Psalm 63:3-5)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.(Psalm 92:1-2)

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. (Psalm 96:4-5)

Selah!
JAH RasTafari be praised for all wisdom, word sound, works and peace imparted upon I and I Covenant Keepers of Ithiopia Hola T'sion!
Sis. Ila

 

 

Many Meanings of Ises - Praises & Prayer

Blessed Love

I have been trying to think what to post about - there are so many topics to write about - but I am also trying to crochet new handbags and manage a very active almost 5 year old. So, I decided to talk about something that is very important, that is a part of RasTafari life, but is also the very best friend of any Dawta out there: Ises, praises, prayer, having a moment to talk to JAH, the healing within, the strength to persevere and endure.

What is Ises? Can it have more than one meaning, can it do more than one thing?
I believe Ises can mean and be so many things at once or at a particular time based on one's emotions. Sometimes I want to pray for everything and everyone, sometimes for myself, sometimes its for particular persons, sometimes its for Afrika, sometimes it's to bunn a serious fyah on the wickedness that is rampant in the world today, sometimes I'm just giving thanks for everything JAH created and loves... you know what I mean? There are so many things that I and I face on a daily basis - thousands of thoughts that we think each day and what we are moved to feel passionate about each day changes rapidly...

Here is a summary  or even message I wrote called "Iditations on Ises" where I tried to list all the different ways we use prayer or give praises, and what it means for and to us. I did not include the Nyahbinghi Creed and the other important declarations that have been with RasTafari from the beginning, but they cannot be forgotten.

It is important for every I to Iditate on Ises and Giving Ises efficiently in order to be Iritually whole and secure throughout life. Ises is the language of Wise Mind, Ever-living Life and healing as it awakens the Word of JAH and its accompanying Iritual vibrations in the mind-space, body temple and soul.

More than asking for help, healing, guidance or wisdom, prayer is an affirmation. Prayer and Ises are about speaking and pledging confident truths, and willing those who receive them to share in this Godly power.

Ises is on the other hand, a supplication. In that we often use this time to off-load our emotional distress, and to relate to JAH our fears, problems and weaknesses. It is a time to ask for help and to search within for the source of the help. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Ises is an Iditation. While you don't worry about whether your prayers will be answered, you keep them with you each day in your thoughts, as inspiration to make you live up to your faith and goals. You must think about your prayers, and do positive deeds and say blessed things in honour of them. Iditation is most of all the Iritual guidance of Ises where you deeply consider and aim to overstand the purpose of life as JAH intended for this world.

Ises is a declaration. Ises speaks to Iration, declaring JAH Rastafari's glory in the heavens and the earth. Prayer harmonizes man and woman with the living environment around us, balancing the individual energy and vibrations we declare/emit with the energies and vibrations we receive. Making a declaration of Ises is therefore a consciously controlled statement that honours Iration and marks your place within it; because what you declare to JAH and His omnipotence, you receive. Declarations can be affirmations of righteousness or denials of sin and iniquity.

Ises is a joyful noise. No matter how depressed you feel, you serve JAH Rastafari with gladness and stand in His/Her presence with love and admiration, giving thanks for the good and the bad, and even that which you do not overstand.

Ises is a freewill offering, according to Psalm 119 - which perfectly summarizes the state of man and his journey in trying to be upright, but suffering with the burdens of carnality. A freewill offering, is the ideal gift and praise that you can offer to your Creator, your JAH. Taking the time to praise JAH and Iditate, and committing to such an act daily, shows your humility towards JAH, and your free will to set aside your life and desires just to acknowledge that you are a part of something Greater and more powerful. While the law and feasts or festivals are appointed times for offering and praises, we still are obligated to abide by them. On the other hand, a freewill offering is something natural and uniquely specific to every one of us. A freewill offering is something that comes freely, earnestly and abundantly direct from the heart; and not from the law. It is a sign of Nazirite devotion, honour and love – such being unique to those “who wish to separate themselves unto the Lord.”

Ises is a living testimony. Only the living can give testimony of JAH's power over evil and wickedness. There is no praise in the grave of the dead or the pit of the sinful. While you have life you must acknowledge it as the greatest gift you own, and give thanks for the blessings it brings you from the Creator's bosom.

Ises is a living sacrifice. When you pray, you offer your sinful mind and body over to JAH for regeneration and purification. Confessing your sin sacrifices your ego and pride, making way for overstanding and positive reinforcement or change. Sacrificing the ego and its carnal lusts through Ises is the way you clean out your inner defilement, so that you can be prepared and offered up as a living pure sanctuary – a refuge of God and peace, a place of rest from burdens. The only living burnt sacrifice worthy of your use is the herbal sacrament which opens your an Iritual and helps you to weigh your actions.

Ises is genesis. Prayer is the first step in the creation or conception of a new life, mind, heart, body, faith, hope and Irit. Each time you pray, you aim to start something new and better within and around you.

Ises is closure. Starting over, beginning a new path or chapter in life, entails leaving something old or past, behind. Ises is the energy you gain strength from – strength to move on from sins, arguments, disappointments, heartbreak – to make it through another day. Closure releases parts of your Consciousness eradicates a habit or mentality or thought or emotion from your everyday living. Ises hands these things over to JAH so you can grow into your Higher Self free from worry, doubts, regrets and baggage.

Ises is instruction. You gain much guidance from JAH when you read your Ises from the Holy Scriptures and Law of Isra’el and Ithiopia. You evolve as an individual I with the instruction given to you from Zion; and the advice and wisdom of the Patriarchs. Ises helps you to build strength in this instruction as shown in the Book of Psalms. Ises allows you to beseech JAH in maintaining His holy path.

All in all, Ises is the greatest remedy. The act of worship and the power of love, hope and faith, can cure any ailment and inspire every heart.

Selah!
I hope this is inspiring to the Sistren, giving ones a spark of renewal in hope, zeal and faith.
JAH RasTafari Love and Itection!
Sis. Ila