Everyone prays at some point; some daily, some occasionally and most in times of peril. “Nipsy” Russell, with his original wit, sums it up as, “Help a man whose in trouble. Help him and never complain. Help him and he will remember you–when he gets in trouble again.” This witty lyric however, contains more truth than wit.
The Baha’i Holy Writings refer to prayer as “conversation with God” and “The Ladder to Heaven.” The Holy Spirit is the power which is in the Manifestations of God-–through such Human Temples as Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, Muhammad and Baha’u’llah. In all the worlds of existence there is nothing more important than prayer.
Prayer confers upon the heart spirituality and life everlasting, the greatest of God’s gifts! It means turning your face away from contemplation of your own finite selves and fixing your eyes and heart upon the Everlasting Radiance! Then will your souls receive in full measure the Divine Powers and blessings of the Holy Spirit.
The meditative faculty in man is akin to the mirror; if you put it before earthly objects it will reflect them. Therefore, if the spirit of man is contemplating earthly subjects he will be informed of these. But if the mirror of your spirit is turned heavenward the heavenly constellations and rays of the Sun of Reality will be reflected in your heart and the virtues of the Kingdom will be acquired. We should not dwell upon our failings and weaknesses as through supplication to God we may more clearly recognize our “Signs of Guidance” which I believe is given exclusively to every soul He places upon this earth–if we but try to behold them.
Also according to the teachings of the Prophets, disease and all other forms of calamity are due to disobedience to the Divine Commands. Even disasters due to floods, hurricanes and earthquakes are attributed indirectly to this cause. The suffering that follows is not vindictive, however, but educative and remedial. It is God’s Voice proclaiming to man that he has strayed from the right path. If the suffering is terrible, it is only because the danger of wrongdoing is more terrible!
As the whole of humanity is one organism, the welfare of each individual depends not only upon his own behavior but also on that of his neighbor! If one does wrong, all suffer in greater or less degree while if one does well, ALL benefit. Each has to bear his neighbor’s burdens to some extent and the best of mankind are those who bear the biggest burdens. The saints have always suffered greatly; the Prophets have superlatively. This is not because they have merited punishment above others. Instead they have chosen to suffer for the sins of others!
When in supreme adjustment one turns the glory received from prayer into the channels of daily business and service, their lives and those of others will prosper–along with worldly affairs! (Investigate!– 1-800-22UNITE)
