Developing a Relationship with God
Questions for Discussion
Have you ever had a moment where you felt certain of God’s presence or existence? What was happening? And have you had moments of genuine doubt? What distinguishes those two states?
Baha’u’llah shares that everything in creation reflects some attribute of God. When you look at the natural world, what qualities or characteristics do you see reflected? What attributes of God do you see reflected in nature?
A dog can’t understand calculus; a child can’t grasp adult complexities. Do you think there are things about God that humans simply can’t comprehend, the way calculus is beyond a dog? How does that make you feel?
The descriptions below come from Bahai.org.
Section 1 - The Baha’i Conception of God 737 words
God, the Creator of the universe, is all-knowing, all-loving and all-merciful. Just as the physical sun shines on the whole world, so the light of God is shed upon all Creation. Abdu’l-Baha explains: "As the sun ripens the fruits of the earth, and gives life and warmth to all living beings, so shines the Sun of Truth on all souls, filling them with the fire of Divine love and understanding."
It is impossible for any mortal mind to truly understand the reality of God. Whatever is created can never comprehend or describe its creator. A table, for example, is incapable of understanding the craftsman who made it, even though his skills and attributes may be reflected in his creation.
However broad or imaginative our concept of God may be, it will always necessarily be circumscribed by the limitations of the human mind. Abdu’l-Baha explains: "That which we imagine, is not the Reality of God; He, the Unknowable, the Unthinkable, is far beyond the highest conception of man."
Each kingdom of nature is incapable of understanding the level of existence higher than itself. A rock cannot imagine the growing power of a plant; a tree is unable to understand the powers of sight, hearing, smell or movement possessed by an animal; and an animal will never attain the consciousness that distinguishes a human being. Similarly, human minds will never be able to grasp fully the operations of the spiritual kingdom. Abdu’l-Baha explains: "All superior kingdoms are incomprehensible to the inferior; how therefore could it be possible that the creature, man, should understand the almighty Creator of all?"
While the true nature of God will always elude us, the purpose of our lives is to recognise, love, and grow closer to Him. Baha’u’llah shares: "I have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit, that thou mayest be My lover."
What we can know about the unknowable God has been taught to us by the succession of Founders of the great world religions, the Manifestations of God. Throughout the ages, our belief in God—and the paths we have taken towards Him—have been shaped by Their teachings.
Baha'u'llah, the most recent of God's Manifestations, teaches us that the signs of the existence of God are everywhere: "Every created thing in the whole universe is but a door leading into His knowledge, a sign of His sovereignty, a revelation of His names, a symbol of His majesty, a token of His power, a means of admittance into His straight Path…" The beauty, richness, and diversity of the natural world are thus all expressions of the attributes of God. Abdu’l-Baha shares: "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 have been endowed with the capacity to reflect certain of God's qualities. Human beings, however, have been invested with the power to potentially manifest all of His attributes. "Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee. Get thou from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me."
To assist us in knowing and worshipping God, the teachings of the Manifestations provide countless descriptions of spiritual attributes that we ourselves must develop—for example, wisdom and justice, truthfulness and courtesy, faithfulness and compassion. Such qualities are developed by thinking and acting in the light of divine guidance. "[B]y faith," wrote Abdu'l-Baha, "is meant, first, conscious knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds."
Questions for Discussion
If God is truly unknowable, what does it mean to “recognize, love, and grow closer” to Him? Is it possible to develop a relationship with something we cannot fully comprehend? Are there any other examples we can look to?
Baha’u’llah says “I have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit, that thou mayest be My lover.” The language of “lover” implies intimacy, vulnerability, and mutual joy—not just obedience. When have you experienced your relationship with God as something joyful and intimate?
One title Baha’u’llah uses to describe God is “the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden.” He also says “Every created thing in the whole universe is but a door leading into His [God’s] knowledge.” Why do you think God would chose to design our relationship with Him in this way?
Section 2 - The Power of Prayer 1,222 words
One of the best ways to develop a relationship with God is through the tool of prayer. Let’s discuss the power of prayer together.
Questions for Discussion
Prayer is often described as "food for the soul"—essential nourishment like food for the body. But most of us would immediately notice if we skipped meals for days—do you actually feel spiritually malnourished when you don't pray? Should you?
The Guardian says the Cause has the spiritual power to "re-create us" — but only "if we make the effort to let that power influence us." What does it actually look like to let that power in? What are the ways we resist it without realizing? Just as our bodies require nourishment to develop properly, we need regular prayer for our spiritual sustenance and health. Prayer is food for the soul; it deepens the love of God in our hearts and draws us closer to Him. "There is nothing sweeter in the world of existence than prayer…The most blessed condition is the condition of prayer and supplication." To live in a state of prayer entails not only uttering sacred verses in moments of devotion; it suggests, too, that throughout the day we should turn our hearts towards God.
Prayer in its highest form is a pure expression of loving praise for God. "The true worshipper, while praying, should endeavour not so much to ask God to fulfil his wishes and desires, but rather to adjust these and make them conform to the Divine Will. Only through such an attitude can one derive that feeling of inner peace and contentment which the power of prayer alone can confer." Yet it is also natural that we would often beseech and supplicate God for assistance. After such prayer, we would reflect and act upon what appears to be the best way forward and then see if our efforts are confirmed. We need to have complete trust in the mercy of God and be certain that He will grant that which is best for us.
In moments of private contemplation, of course, we often use our own words to commune with our Creator. But in the Writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah, and Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'is find numerous prayers of surpassing beauty that give true expression to their innermost thoughts and feelings—prayers which may be used both in their personal devotions and at their gatherings. Indeed, meetings in which the various affairs of the community are discussed commonly begin and end with prayer.
Baha'u'llah invested a few prayers with special power. These include three obligatory prayers revealed by Him: a short prayer of a few brief lines, which is to be said between noon and sunset; a medium obligatory prayer of several verses, which is to be recited in the morning, at noon, and in the evening; and a long prayer, which is to be recited once in twenty-four hours. Baha'is choose to say one of these three prayers each day.
It is also a common practice for Baha'is in localities throughout the world to gather together in centres or in one another's homes with their friends and neighbours to offer prayers. In addition to providing opportunities for the participants to read aloud and listen to the recitation of extracts from Holy Scriptures and other illuminating passages, these devotional gatherings often include uplifting music and song. Such meetings serve to awaken spiritual susceptibilities within the participants and promote patterns of community life which are infused with the spirit of devotion.
Quotations
Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instill new life into every human frame, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth. (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings)
The Word of God may be likened to the life-giving breezes of the divine springtime. When chanted in spiritual tones, it bestoweth the breath of life and granteth true salvation. It bringeth forth a garden of roses from the pure soil, and wafteth its musk-laden fragrance throughout the world. (Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet)
Shouldst thou recite any of the revealed prayers, and seek assistance from God with thy face turned towards Him, and implore Him with devotion and fervour, thy need will be answered. (Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet)
The Guardian wishes you, therefore, to pray, and to supplicate the Almighty that He may give you a fuller measure of His grace; that through it your spiritual energies may be quickened and that you may become more imbued with that spirit which must needs animate, sustain and strengthen every sincere and true follower of the Faith. (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
He wishes again to assure you he will pray for your spiritual advancement in the Holy Shrines. The power of God can entirely transmute our characters and make of us beings entirely unlike our previous selves. Through prayer and supplication, obedience to the divine laws Baha’u’llah has revealed, and ever-increasing service to His Faith, we can change ourselves. (on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
Remembrance of God is like the rain and dew which bestow freshness and grace on flowers and hyacinths, revive them and cause them to acquire fragrance, redolence and renewed charm. “And thou hast seen the earth dried up and barren: but when We send down the rain upon it, it stirreth and swelleth, and groweth every kind of luxuriant herb.”1 Strive thou, then, to praise and glorify God by night and by day, that thou mayest attain infinite freshness and beauty. (Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet)
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. (Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha)
The believers, as we all know, should endeavour to set such an example in their personal lives and conduct that others will feel impelled to embrace a Faith which reforms human character. However, unfortunately, not everyone achieves easily and rapidly the victory over self. What every believer, new or old, should realize is that the Cause has the spiritual power to re-create us if we make the effort to let that power influence us, and the greatest help in this respect is prayer. We must supplicate Baha’u’llah to assist us to overcome the failings in our own characters, and also exert our own will-power in mastering ourselves. (written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
Questions for Discussion
Abdu'l-Baha compares remembrance of God to rain reviving a dried-up garden. Have you ever experienced the phenomena of prayer riving your spirit? Reviving your life? How do you think that works?
The Guardian writes that "the power of God can entirely transmute our characters and make of us beings entirely unlike our previous selves." What does it feel like to actually believe that about yourself? What makes it hard to believe?
The Guardian speaks of "victory over self" as something not everyone achieves "easily and rapidly." How does framing spiritual growth as a gradual victory — rather than an instant transformation — change how you relate to your own shortcomings?