Daily Frameworks for 19 January 2025

Jamál, 02 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

This is the Day in which He Who held converse with God hath attained the light of the Ancient of Days, and quaffed the pure waters of reunion from this Cup that hath caused the seas to swell. Say: By the one true God! Sinai is circling round the Dayspring of Revelation, while from the heights of the Kingdom the Voice of the Spirit of God is heard proclaiming: “Bestir yourselves, ye proud ones of the earth, and hasten ye unto Him.” Carmel hath, in this Day, hastened in longing adoration to attain His court, whilst from the heart of Zion there cometh the cry: “The promise is fulfilled. That which had been announced in the holy Writ of God, the most Exalted, the Almighty, the Best-Beloved, is made manifest.” — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

O thou spiritual friend! Thou hast asked about the wisdom of obligatory prayer. Know thou that such prayer is mandatory and binding. Man under no pretext whatsoever is excused from observing the prayer unless he is incapable of performing it or some great obstacle interveneth. The wisdom of obligatory prayer is this: That it causeth a connection between the servant and the True One, because at that time man with all his heart and soul turneth his face towards the Almighty, seeking His association and desiring His love and companionship. For a lover, there is no greater pleasure than to converse with his beloved, and for a seeker, there is no greater bounty than intimacy with the object of his desire. It is the greatest longing of every soul who is attracted to the Kingdom of God to find time to turn with entire devotion to his Beloved, so as to seek His bounty and blessing and immerse himself in the ocean of communion, entreaty and supplication. Moreover, obligatory prayer and fasting produce awareness and awakening in man, and are conducive to his protection and preservation from tests. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

We have called upon the Bahá’ís to see in their endeavours of community building the creation of a new pattern of how society can be. Taken in its entirety, that pattern fosters capacity for service—for the education of young generations, for the empowerment of the youth, for the spiritual education of children, for the enhancement of the capacity to draw upon the influence of the Word of God in accompanying others into the field of service, and for the social and economic advancement of a people in the light of the divine teachings for the age. Essential to that pattern is the devotional meeting—a communal aspect of the godly life and a dimension of the concept of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár—which represents a marvellous opportunity for your community not only to worship the Almighty and seek His benedictions in your own lives, but to extend to your fellow citizens the spiritual energies of prayer, to restore for them the purity of worship, to kindle in their hearts faith in the confirmations of God, and to strengthen in them, no less than in yourselves, eagerness to serve the nation and humanity and to show constructive resilience in the path of justice. — Universal House of Justice ³

The second unit in the book is concerned, like the first, with a habit essential to spiritual life: praying regularly. It makes explicit in the opening section the concept of “path of service,” suggesting that, to walk this path, we must be imbued with a twofold purpose. Participants examine an initial set of quotations that offer insight into the nature of this purpose, a theme that will be elaborated in future courses.
Against the backdrop of this theme the unit takes up its exploration of the significance of prayer. It adopts an approach similar to the one described in the preceding paragraphs. Questions and exercises are formulated so as to advance understanding of the meaning of passages from the Writings being studied. As the group progresses through the unit, the tutor may be required to dissipate doubts by analyzing notions rooted in interpretations and practices of the past. In some traditions, ritual and form have gradually overshadowed the importance of inner state, and so many ignore the necessity of prayer which, for the human soul, is no less crucial than is food in nourishing the body.
Above all, then, the unit aspires to awaken in participants the desire to “converse with God” and to draw near to Him. Among the ideas addressed are what it means to enter into a state of prayer, the posture of our hearts and minds when we do so, and the conditions that should be created in our surroundings, whether we are alone or in a gathering, Indeed, after giving some thought to the forces generated through communal worship, participants are asked to consider hosting a gathering for prayer and devotions. — Ruhi Institute Staff ⁴

Question for Consideration

What relationship between prayer, personal growth, and efforts to contribute to the betterment of society do the first two sections of the unit establish? ⁵

Perplexity Pro Response ⁶

The Ruhi Institute’s curriculum explores the profound connection between prayer, personal growth, and social transformation, emphasizing a twofold purpose of spiritual development and service to humanity. This approach views prayer as essential for nourishing the soul, aligning with divine will, and generating spiritual forces that empower individuals and communities to contribute effectively to societal betterment.

Wisdom of Obligatory Prayer

Obligatory prayer serves as a vital connection between the individual and the Divine, fostering spiritual growth and protection. It is considered mandatory and binding, with exceptions only for those incapable of performing it or facing significant obstacles. The wisdom behind this practice lies in its ability to turn one’s heart and soul towards the Almighty, seeking His love and companionship. For those drawn to the spiritual realm, obligatory prayer offers:

• A means to converse intimately with the Beloved
• An opportunity to seek divine bounty and blessings
• Immersion in communion, entreaty, and supplication
• Increased awareness and awakening in the individual
• Protection and preservation from life’s tests
  

This spiritual discipline not only nurtures personal development but also strengthens one’s capacity to contribute positively to society, aligning individual growth with service to humanity.

Communal Worship and Devotion

Devotional gatherings serve as a cornerstone in the Bahá’í approach to community building, representing a vital dimension of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár concept. These meetings offer a unique opportunity for participants to not only seek divine blessings for themselves but also to extend the spiritual energies of prayer to their fellow citizens [3]. By engaging in communal worship, individuals can:

• Restore the purity of worship in their communities
• Kindle faith in divine confirmations among participants
• Strengthen the collective eagerness to serve humanity
• Foster constructive resilience in pursuing justice
  

These gatherings contribute to creating a new pattern of society, one that empowers youth, educates children spiritually, and advances social and economic development in accordance with divine teachings for this age [3]

Prayer’s Role in Service

Prayer plays a pivotal role in walking the path of service, serving as a catalyst for both personal growth and societal transformation. It fosters a connection with the Divine, enabling individuals to align their actions with higher purposes and draw upon spiritual energies for service. Through regular prayer, participants develop:

• A deeper understanding of their twofold purpose: spiritual growth and societal betterment
• Enhanced capacity to contribute meaningfully to community-building efforts
• Increased awareness of the interconnectedness between inner spiritual states and outer actions
  

This practice not only nourishes the soul but also empowers individuals to translate spiritual insights into practical efforts for the advancement of civilization, creating a harmonious balance between personal development and service to humanity [1] [3] [5].

Transformative Power of Prayer

Prayer serves as a transformative force, empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to society while fostering personal spiritual growth. By engaging in regular prayer, participants develop a heightened awareness of their inner state and its impact on their actions, leading to a more purposeful approach to service [1] [3]. This practice not only strengthens one’s connection to the Divine but also cultivates qualities essential for effective community building, such as love, justice, and unity [4]. As individuals deepen their understanding of prayer’s significance, they become better equipped to navigate the challenges of social transformation, drawing upon spiritual insights to guide their efforts in creating a more just and harmonious world [5].

By establishing this interconnected relationship, the unit emphasizes that personal spiritual growth through prayer is not an end in itself, but rather a means to empower individuals to more effectively serve humanity and contribute to the advancement of civilization. Simultaneously, it suggests that efforts to improve society are most fruitful when rooted in a strong spiritual foundation nurtured through prayer.

Citations:

[1] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[2] Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth – Ruhi Institute

[3] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[4] Book 6: Teaching the Cause (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[5] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How does obligatory prayer foster a connection between the individual and the divine?
• What role does prayer play in personal growth and spiritual development?
• How can communal worship enhance the spiritual energies of a community?
• What are the benefits of hosting devotional meetings in a community?
• How does prayer contribute to the transformation of society?
• How does prayer help in aligning ourselves with forces of justice and love?
• What are some practical ways to integrate prayer into daily service activities?
• How can prayer enhance our ability to resist forces of materialism and self-centeredness?
• What role does prayer play in the development of a pure heart and sincere intentions?
• How can prayer contribute to the creation of a new civilization based on harmony and concord?

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/5#598109433. ↩
2. Research Department of the Universal House Justice. The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting.” Bahá’í Reference Library, May 2000. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/importance-obligatory-prayer-fasting/3#074481551. ↩
3. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. The Institution of the Mas͟hriqu’l-Ad͟hkár, 2017. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/institution-mashriqul-adhkar/12#019366522. ↩
4. Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, vii. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS. ↩
5. Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 63. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
6. Perplexity Pro. “What relationship between prayer, personal growth, and efforts to contribute to the betterment of society do the first two sections of the unit establish?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 17, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/this-is-the-day-in-which-he-wh-vA6wHqkfSW..xDIYZa4Rmw. ↩