Spontaneous vs. revealed prayers
From Bahai9
Contents |
In public meetings
The revealed word is to be preferred above spontaneous prayer in public gatherings (though there is no prohibition of spontaneous prayer in such a context)
"You have asked whether it is permissible for the friends to recite prayers other than those revealed by the Central Figures of our Faith, prefacing your query by citing an instance when a prayer from a different source was chanted at a Bahá'í public meeting. No prohibition has been found in the Bahá'í Writings against the recitation at public gatherings of prayers other than those provided in Bahá'í Scriptures. You are no doubt aware that in devotional programs at Bahá'í Houses of Worship it is permissible to include scriptures from other revealed religions, which may include prayers. You did not specifically mention whether your concern was about prayers originating from other sacred scriptures or from compositions by individuals.
- (27 June 2001, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer at http://www.bahai-library.com/uhj/devotional.meetings.html#7 )
In private
The Creative Word is preferred but spontaneous prayer may also supplement this as desired
"Bahá'ís are generally encouraged to use the Creative Word, including those prayers and Tablets revealed by Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb and 'Abdu'l-Bahá which are authenticated and published in our Bahá'í literature. A letter dated 8 August 1942, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly, indicates that while spontaneous prayer is permitted, the revealed verses are preferred because "the revealed Word is endowed with a power of its own". The friends, therefore, must use them in their own supplications with radiant joy. This does not mean, however, that in addition to such prayers, they may not, in private, use their own words whenever they feel the inclination to do so."
- (27 June 2001, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer at http://www.bahai-library.com/uhj/devotional.meetings.html#7 )
"Beg everything thou desirest from Bahá'u'lláh
"If thou art asking faith, ask of Him.
"If thou art yearning after knowledge, He will grant it unto thee.
"If thou art longing for the love of God, He will bestow it upon thee.
"He will descend upon thee all His blessings."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. IX, no. 9)
Even children can learn some of the revealed verses (though again prayer may be spontaneous also)
"Regarding minute No. 507, the Guardian feels that it would be better for either the mothers of Bahá'í children--or some committee your Assembly might delegate the task to--to choose excerpts from the Sacred Words to be used by the child rather than just something made up. Of course prayer can be purely spontaneous, but many of the sentences and thoughts combined in Bahá'í writings of a devotional nature are easy to grasp, and the revealed Word is endowed with a power of its own...."
- (Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 154)
(Some may devise their own prayers)
"The brief prayer which thou didst write at the close of thy letter was indeed original, touching and beautiful. Recite thou this prayer at all times."
