Dawn Prayers

Welcome to Dawn Prayers, a space where hearts gather at daybreak to remember God, lift our spirits, and draw nearer to the One who is the source of all light. This episode is dedicated to the Feast of Kamál — Perfection. In the Bahá’í writings, perfection is not the absence of flaws. It is the radiant presence of virtue, purpose, and love in action. God created us so that we might know Him and love Him, and in that love, we find the strength to turn toward the light each day. Perfection is not a destination; it is a path — a path of striving to reflect divine attributes such as kindness, compassion, and justice, and to help build communities where every soul is uplifted. As one prayer reminds us: “No path have I trodden, nor any will I seek, but the path of Thy love.” At the hour of dawn, when the world is quiet, we remember that in Him are potentially revealed all the attributes and names of God. We are invited to lift our hearts above the present, and with eyes of faith, look toward the future — a future shaped by unity, justice, and the transforming power of His love. Join us now in prayer, as we refresh our spirits in His beauty and perfection.

Welcome to Beyond the Veil: Life after Death in the Baha'i Writings. In this episode, we journey into the mystery of what happens to the soul when it leaves the body, how the next world is described in the Bahá’í Writings, and what it means to live a life that prepares us for that eternal journey. Drawing on the words of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, we’ll reflect on the purpose of this life, the continuity of the soul, and the hope and reassurance these teachings offer us. Whether you’re grieving a loved one or seeking deeper understanding, may these words bring you peace and clarity. "The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother." — Bahá’u’lláh  

As the sun sets and the world quiets, we gather to reflect, to seek solace, and to draw nearer to the Divine. In this episode, we delve into the serene beauty of Bahá’í evening prayers—a time to surrender our thoughts, renew our spirits, and find peace in the embrace of God’s mercy. One such prayer begins: “O my God, my Master, the Goal of my desire! This, Thy servant, seeketh to sleep in the shelter of Thy mercy, and to repose beneath the canopy of Thy grace, imploring Thy care and Thy protection.” These sacred words invite us to release the burdens of the day and rest in divine assurance. In the stillness of night, we echo the plea: “Help me to be selfless and aid me to be detached. Make me as dust in the pathway of Thy loved ones.” This supplication calls us to humility and service, reminding us of our purpose beyond ourselves. These divine counsels guide us to find contentment and trust in God's sufficiency. As we close our eyes tonight, may we open our hearts to these sacred words, allowing them to illuminate our path and deepen our connection with the Divine.

In today’s episode, we turn our attention to the Medium Obligatory Prayer, one of the three daily obligatory prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh for followers of the Bahá’í Faith. Simple in form yet profound in spirit, this prayer is to be recited daily, in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. It invites us to bow, to stand, to open our hearts in humble reverence, and to remember our utter dependence on God's mercy and guidance. As we recite this prayer together, let it be more than words—let it be a moment of surrender, a gateway to presence, and a reminder of the eternal bond between the soul and its Creator.

Today, we turn our hearts toward one of the most majestic and powerful devotional acts in the Bahá’í Faith — the Long Obligatory Prayer, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the city of Naháj. This prayer is unlike any other: a sweeping, soul-stirring conversation with the Divine, filled with humility, awe, and the deepest yearning for nearness to God. Meant to be recited once in a twenty-four-hour period, with specific physical movements and a spirit of utmost reverence, this prayer serves as a spiritual lifeline — a personal covenant between the soul and its Creator. As you listen, allow the words to move through you like a river — cleansing, awakening, and drawing you closer to the eternal source of light and mercy. Whether you are listening as a meditation, a study, or in preparation for your own daily practice, may this recitation inspire in you a deeper love for prayer, and for the One to whom all prayers ascend.

Welcome, friends, to this sacred space for reflection, connection, and prayer. Today, we gather our hearts around the radiant theme of oneness—the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity, and the oneness of all creation. In a world divided by boundaries—of nation, race, religion, and class—the Bahá’í teachings offer a healing vision: that we are all leaves of one tree, waves of one sea, and children of the same loving Creator. The light of the Divine shines equally on all, and our diversity is not a cause for division, but a sign of the Creator’s infinite beauty. Bahá’u’lláh states: “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” As we center ourselves in prayer today, may these sacred words remind us of our shared origin and destiny. May they soften the walls around our hearts, expand our sense of kinship, and awaken in us the noble purpose of unity in action.

Welcome to this episode of our Bahá’í prayer podcast, dedicated to honoring the souls of the departed. In the Bahá’í teachings, death is not an end but a sacred transition. The physical body returns to the earth, while the soul—our true essence—continues its journey in the spiritual realms of God. As Bahá’u’lláh assures us, the soul “will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God” This journey is one of growth, love, and nearness to the Divine. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá beautifully expressed, “To hold that the spirit is annihilated upon the death of the body is to imagine that a bird imprisoned in a cage would perish if the cage were to be broken”. In this episode, we will reflect on prayers and writings that illuminate the soul’s eternal voyage and offer solace to those of us who remain. May these sacred words bring comfort and a deeper understanding of the boundless mercy and love that await every soul in the next world.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.