Confusion in prayer

cloudyday2 · Mar 10, 2019

Arthra said:
In my belief as a Baha'i there is a strength in reciting prayers that are inspired in Sacred Scripture. Baha'is recite daily obligatory prayers in private as well as reciting the Greatest Name ninety five times.

We are free to compose our own prayers but we believe the prayers of a Manifestation have greater efficacy.

Regular daily prayer and meditation can be of great help.

"But the question may be asked: How shall we know God? We know Him by His attributes. We know Him by His signs. We know Him by His names. We know not what the reality of the sun is, but we know the sun by the ray, by the heat, by its efficacy and penetration. We recognize the sun by its bounty and effulgence, but as to what constitutes the reality of the solar energy, that is unknowable to us. The attributes characterizing the sun, however, are knowable. If we wish to come in touch with the reality of Divinity, we do so by recognizing its phenomena, its attributes and traces, which are widespread in the universe. All things in the world of phenomena are expressive of that one reality."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 423

Let's take the Lord's Prayer as an example, because from a Baha'i perspective that would be a prayer of a Manifestation. Jesus said "Thy will be done" in the Lord's Prayer, but in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked the Father to take the cup of suffering away if possible (while still submitting the Father's will).

I guess the ultimate question is: does God's will always triumph? If God's will always triumphs, then why should I care what God wants? God is always going to get what He wants whether I help him or not, so why waste my time praying. And God is going to get what He wants even if that isn't what I want, so again why waste my time praying.

Robban · Mar 10, 2019

cloudyday2 said:
Let's take the Lord's Prayer as an example, because from a Baha'i perspective that would be a prayer of a Manifestation. Jesus said "Thy will be done" in the Lord's Prayer, but in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked the Father to take the cup of suffering away if possible (while still submitting the Father's will).

I guess the ultimate question is: does God's will always triumph? If God's will always triumphs, then why should I care what God wants? God is always going to get what He wants whether I help him or not, so why waste my time praying. And God is going to get what He wants even if that isn't what I want, so again why waste my time praying.

"Try and see it from My pov, I get so tired of all these angels
chatting and giggling all the time,
I do love it when My children take the time to have a few words though."

Arthra · Mar 10, 2019

cloudyday2 said:
God is always going to get what He wants whether I help him or not, so why waste my time praying.

Well it's up to you of course... I've found regular devotions help and can improve your spiritual life. If you abandon your devotional life it seems to me you'll likely become increasingly conflicted.

"They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 7

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Confusion in prayer

cloudyday2

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Robban

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Arthra

Baha'i

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