Praise be to God, thy heart is engaged in the commemoration of God, thy soul is gladdened by the glad tidings of God and thou art absorbed in prayer. The state of prayer is the best of conditions, for man is then associating with God. Prayer verily bestoweth life, particularly when offered in private and at times, such as midnight, when freed from daily cares.

Prayer is nourishment to our souls just as food is for the body. It is communion with God—a conversation with the Creator. Through prayer, our love for God finds expression. It nurtures our love and devotion to God.

“Recite ye the verses of God every morning and evening” is Bahá’u’lláh’s counsel. Although we may use our own words to convey our thoughts during communion with God, there are numerous prayers that have been revealed by the Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb and 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

Among the many beautiful prayers that Bahá’u’lláh revealed are the three obligatory prayers. Bahá’ís choose one of these prayers to say each day: there is a short obligatory prayer which is to be said once between noon and sunset; the medium obligatory prayer which is to be said in the morning, noon and evening; and the long obligatory prayer which is to be recited once in twenty-four hours.

Prayer is an integral part of a Bahá’í life—of the individual, the community and of the institutions.

All over the Philippines, Bahá’ís gather regularly with their friends and neighbors, to hold devotional meetings. These are usually held at Bahá’í Centers or in the homes of the friends. Such practice, which Bahá’ís all over the world do, has enriched the spiritual character of the relationships between friends, neighbors and families.

During devotional meetings, prayers are recited and verses from the Holy Writings are read. Music and songs, which uplift the soul and are conducive to awakening our spiritual nature, are often played.