Dawn Prayers

. . . in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That which he needs in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained here. Just as he prepared himself in the world of the matrix by acquiring forces necessary in this sphere of existence, so, likewise, the indispensable forces of the divine existence must be potentially attained in this world. What is he in need of in the Kingdom which transcends the life and limitation of this mortal sphere? That world beyond is a world of sanctity and radiance; therefore, it is necessary that in this world he should acquire these divine attributes. In that world there is need of spirituality, faith, assurance, the knowledge and love of God. These he must attain in this world so that after his ascension from the earthly to the heavenly Kingdom he shall find all that is needful in that eternal life ready for him. That divine world is manifestly a world of lights; therefore, man has need of illumination here. That is a world of love; the love of God is essential. It is a world of perfections; virtues, or perfections, must be acquired. That world is vivified by the breaths of the Holy Spirit; in this world we must seek them. That is the Kingdom of everlasting life; it must be attained during vanishing existence. By what means can man acquire these things? How shall he obtain these merciful gifts and powers? First, through the knowledge of God. Second, through the love of God. Third, through faith. Fourth, through philanthropic deeds. Fifth, through self-sacrifice. Sixth, through severance from this world. Seventh, through sanctity and holiness. Unless he acquires these forces and attains to these requirements, he will surely be deprived of the life that is eternal. But if he possesses the knowledge of God, becomes ignited through the fire of the love of God, witnesses the great and mighty signs of the Kingdom, becomes the cause of love among mankind and lives in the utmost state of sanctity and holiness, he shall surely attain to second birth, be baptized by the Holy Spirit and enjoy everlasting existence.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 226

Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my hope. Through the spirit of power, confirm Thou me in Thy cause, O my best beloved. And by Thy light, reveal unto me Thy path. O Thou, the goal of my desire ... O God my God, cast upon this gathering the glances of Thy lovingkindness.

O Thou who art the Lord of Lords, I testify that Thou art the lord of all creation, and the educator of all beings, visible and invisible. I bear witness that Thy power hath encompassed the entire universe, and that the hosts of the earth can never dismay Thee, nor can the dominion of all peoples and nations deterThee from executing Thy purpose. I confess that Thou hast no desire except the regeneration of the whole world in the establishment of the unity of it's people, and the salvation of all men that dwell therein.

Baha'u'llah

Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.

Let your principal concern be to rescue the fallen from the sloth of impending extinction and help him to embrace the ancient faith of God. Your behavior towards your neighbor should be such as to manifest clearly the signs of the one true God, for ye are the first among men to be recreated by this spirit, the first to adore and bow the knee before them, the first to circle round His throne of glory.

Baháʼu'lláh

They that thirst for the wine of certitude must cleanse themselves of all that is earthly, their ears from idle talk, their minds from vain imaginings, their hearts from worldly affections, their eyes from that which will perish. They should put their trust in God, and hold fast unto Him, follow in His way. Then, they will be made worthy of the effulgent glories of the sun of divine knowledge and understanding, and become the recipients of a grace that is infinite and unseen. Inasmuch as unto the knowledge of the All Glorious, can quaff from the stream of divine knowledge and wisdom.

I have awakened this morning with my face towards the daystar of Thy revelation, through which the. heavens of Thy power and majesty have been illuminated ... I beseech Thee by the potency of Thy will and the compelling power of Thy purpose to make what Thou didst reveal to me in my sleep the surest foundation for the mansions of Thy love.

Origin of the Bahai Calendar

The Bab, the Primal Point of a new creation, brought humanity into a new division of time in a calendar of nineteen months. All through our past heritage the months of the years and days of the week have borne the names of pagan feasts and Roman holidays. The Bab swept these ancient landmarks away, and replaced them by the Qualities of: Splendour, Glory, Beauty, Grandeur, Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection, Names, Might, Will, Knowledge, Power, Speech, Questions, Honour, Sovereignty, Dominion, and Loftiness.

Meditating upon these sublime attributes, man is enabled to gaze beyond the curve of time, wherein the swing and change of planetary movements exists, to the external qualities that stabilize the soul.

In all these journeys, the wayfarer must stray not a hair's breadth from the law. For this is, indeed, the secret of the path, and the fruit of the tree of truth ... Hold fast onto the cord of shunning all that is forbidden that he may partake of the cup of the mysteries of truth.

O God ... bestow upon us new blessings. Give to us the freshness of the spring. We are saplings which have been planted by the fingers of Thy bounty, and have been formed out of the water and clay of Thy tender affection.