Prayer in the Baháʼí Faith
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There are two types of prayer in the Baháʼí Faith: obligatory prayer and general or devotional prayer. Both types of prayer are composed of reverent words which are addressed to God,[1] and the act of prayer is one of the most important Baháʼí laws for individual discipline.[2] The purpose of prayer in the Baháʼí Faith is to grow closer to God and his Manifestation and to help better one's own conduct and to request divine assistance.[3]
Baháʼís between the ages of 15 and 70 are required to perform one of three prescribed obligatory prayers daily and individually, according to a set form and in accordance with specific laws. In addition to the daily obligatory prayer, Baháʼí scripture directs believers daily to offer devotional prayer as well as to meditate and study sacred scripture. There is no set form for devotions and meditations.
There is a large corpus of devotional prayers written by the Báb, Baháʼu'lláh, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, the central figures of the Baháʼí Faith, which are used extensively by Baháʼís in their devotional life.[2] These prayers, encompassing many topics that include meetings, times of day, and healing, are held in high esteem. The specific words are believed by many Baháʼís to have special power. Group reading from prayer books is a common feature of Baháʼí gatherings. Commonly, Baháʼís gather informally in each other's homes to read prayers in events known as devotionals. Participants in a devotional gathering take turns reading aloud from a prayer book, while the others listen in reverent silence.