Dawn Prayers

Illumination

Drawing inspiration from the Bahá'í teachings, this podcast delves into how prayer can shape our lives and communities.
In today's episode, we present excerpts from Bahá'í prayers, offering reflections and insights to deepen your understanding and connection to these sacred texts. Whether you're a member of the Bahá'í Faith or simply curious about its spiritual practices, our aim is to provide a serene and contemplative environment for all listeners.
Join us as we journey through the rich tapestry of Bahá'í prayers about illumination, seeking inspiration and guidance for our daily lives.

The Ninth Day of Ridvan

Time is passing…your efforts are needed now.
The sun of reality shone forth, gathering the sparkling lights of the Kingdom, to the east and to the west.
O Son of Being! Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou livest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee.
Material civilization is like unto a lamp, while spiritual civilization is the light in that lamp.
The splendor of ridden is come, and the splendor of the lilt f god is shining from the invisible horizon of His mercy.
Be ye not seated and silent. Diffuse the glad tidings of the kingdom far and wide.
Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose.

Prayers during the Fast

Welcome to today’s prayer podcast — a time to quiet the heart, uplift the spirit, and turn our thoughts toward the Source of all light and life. Together, we will meditate on sacred words that remind us of our true purpose: to know and draw near to our Creator. In these prayers, we seek to cleanse the channel of our souls, to reflect God's radiance, and to walk firmly in His path. We give thanks for His awakening touch upon our hearts and the boundless rain of His generosity. Let us now open ourselves to these powerful invocations, trusting that through them, our lives, our communities, and our spirits may flourish.

Ridvan

“Since We have been expelled from our homeland and banished from Baghdad to a remote place, that the fire of the love of God might be quenched, the lamp of guidance extinguished, the banner of God hauled down, and the call of the True One silenced, We have therefore chosen to fully reveal the Cause, manifest the proof, raise the call, and hoist the banner of the Cause of God, that all may see that this persecution, enmity, banishment, and exile has only deepened the influence of the Word of God, that the fame of the Cause has been noised abroad, and that the tidings of the advent of the Kingdom of God have reached unto both East and West.” This universal declaration took place in the year 1280.
Magnified, O Lord my God, be Thy Name, whereby the trees of the garden of Thy Revelation have been clad with verdure, and been made to yield the fruits of holiness during this springtime, when the sweet savors of Thy favors and blessings have been wafted over all things, and caused them to bring forth whatsoever had been preordained for them in the Kingdom of Thine irrevocable decree and the Heaven of Thine immutable purpose.  I beseech Thee by this very Name not to suffer me to be far from the court of Thy holiness, nor debarred from the exalted sanctuary of Thy unity and oneness.
By Thy might, were kings to witness so great  a glory, they would assuredly rid themselves of their dominion and cleave to such of Thy subjects as have entered beneath the shadow of Thy immeasurable mercy.
This is the day whereon naught can be seen except the splendors that shiners from the light that shiners from the face of thy Lord, the gracious, the bountiful.
O son of Being! Thy paradise is My love.
This is the day when the Star of Truth rose over the horizon of life.
The first stirrings of Thy grace have appeared, and clothed Thine earth with verdure.
Found ye spiritual assemblies, for these are the basis for spreading the sweet savors of God.

Occupation and Devotion

Bless Thou… O Lord my God, Thy servants and Thy handmaidens who have attained unto Thee.
It is seemingly, that the servant should, after each prayer, supplicate God to bestow mercy and forgiveness upon his parents.
Monasticism and asceticism are not sanctioned. Occupation and labor are devotion.
I rejoice to hear that thou takes pains with thine art, for in this wonderful new age, art is worship.
All effort and exertion put forth by man, from the fullness of his heart, is worship.
It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades, and the like.
At present, the state of affairs is in turmoil…however the hand of God is at work.
The ultimate object of all learning is the knowledge of God, but education should also fit a child to earn a living when it grows up.
O Lord, whether traveling or at home, or in my occupation, or in my work, I place my whole trust in Thee.

How Nature and Creation reflect God

All beings partake of Thy care and lovingkindness. Give us our daily bread, and grant Thine increase in the necessities of light, that we may be dependent on none other but Thee.
Manifest and make evident the sign of Thy Oneness, which have been deposited in all the realities of life.
Nature, in its essence, is the embodiment of My Name, the Maker, the Creator.
From the exalted source, and out of the essence of His favor and bounty, He hath entrusted every created thing with the sign of his knowledge.
Whatever I behold, I readily discover, that it maketh Thee known unto me.
Not a single atom in the entire universe can be found which doth not declare the evidenced of His might.
It is not for him to pride himself, who loveth his own country, but rather for him that loveth the whole world.
O Son of Bounty! Out of the waste of nothingness, with the clay of My command, I made thee to appear.

The Eye of Creation

I bear witness that the eye of creation hath never gazed upon one wronged like Thee.
Know Thou that all men have been created in the nature created by God…Every good thing is from God, and every evil thing is from yourselves.
Let this dearly loved servant of Thine abide beneath the shadow of Thy glory, and grand that this hapless and lowly one may prosper and flourish within the precincts of Thy mercy.
Grieve not thou over the troubles and hardships of this nether world, nor be thou glad in times of ease and comfort, for both shall pass away.
It is seemly that the servant should, after each prayer, supplicate God to bestow mercy and forgiveness upon his parents
O Son of Man! Be thou content with Me and seek no other helper, for none but Me can suffice Thee.
Grant, O Thou loving Lord, that all may stand firm and steadfast, shining with everlasting splendor, so that at every breath, gentle breezes may blow from the bowers of Thy lovingkindness.
O God, my God, this is a broken-winged bird and his flight is very slow. Assist him so he may fly towards the apex of prosperity and salvation.

Spiritual Regeneration in the Divine Springtime

The beauty of the unseen hath shown forth over the horizon of creation.
The day is approaching when God will have raised up a people who will call to remembrance our days, who will tell the tales of our tales, who will demand the restitution of our rights.
The word of God may be likened to the life-giving breezes of the Divine Springtime.
…and from the rustling of whose trees can be heard, “no God is there but Him, the Most Powerful, the Ever Giving, the All-Glorious, the All-Loving.”
Grant, O My Lord, that the fire of Thy love, and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee, may inflame them in Thy cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and remembrance of Thee.
O Lord, shower upon them the outpourings of Thy mercy. Rain down upon them all the waters of Thy grace. Make them to grow s beauteous plants in the garden of Thy heaven.
The plants that have sprung forth, O my Lord, in the hearts of Thy loved ones, have withered away. Send down upon them, from the clouds of Thy spirit, that which will cause the tender herbs of Thy knowledge and wisdom to grow in their breasts.

The Fast

The Baha'i Fast is an annual spiritual observance that lasts for nineteen days, from March 2 to March 20. It is a time for Baha'is to focus on prayer, reflection, and self-discipline. During the fast, adult Baha'is refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset. The fast is considered a period of spiritual renewal, focused on fostering closeness to God, detachment from material desires, and personal growth. It is also an opportunity to strengthen community bonds and increase empathy for those who face hunger or deprivation. The Fast is seen as an essential part of Baha'i practice, symbolizing the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance and promoting a deeper connection to the divine.
Today's prayer is the long prayer for the Baha'i fast.
 
 
 
 

Interfaith Prayers and Writings

Since the founders of all the world’s great religions are Manifestations of God, possessed of the Holy Spirit, and acting as intermediaries between God and Man, it follows that all the great religions are, in essence, one.
O Lord, increase light within me.
Grant me, O Creator of Mother Earth, the waters and plant life, immortality and perfection through Your Holiest Spirit, O Lord, grant me strength of character and life renewed through the teachings of the pure mind.
Let us know peace. For as long as the moon shall rise. For as long as the rivers shall flow. For as long as the sun shall shine. For as long as the grass shall grow, let us know peace.
All the religions have a Golden Rule. Do not unto otherw which would cause you pain.
They have gathered in this temple to turn to the face of Thy glory, holding to the hem of Thy garment, and to Thy singleness….   Render their hearts replete with love.
Thanksgiving prayers before meals from various faiths.
The time is approaching when every created thing will have cast its burden.