Worship and Service
Worship and service are central to a balanced way of life in any society aiming for sustainable prosperity. These two distinct, inseparable yet complementary elements work together to drive the advancement of community life.
Gather ye together with the utmost joy and fellowship and recite the verses revealed by the merciful Lord. By so doing the doors to true knowledge will be opened to your inner beings, and ye will then feel your souls endowed with stead-fastness and your hearts filled with radiant joy.
Prayers
Prayer holds a central place in the fabric of Bahá’í life, both on an individual level and within the broader community. Devotional gatherings, where friends and neighbours from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds come together, provide a welcoming space for anyone who wishes to experience the sweetness of prayer. These gatherings awaken spiritual sensitivities within the participants and foster a sense of fellowship and common purpose, particularly through the naturally occurring, spiritually uplifting conversations that follow the prayers. When prayer is combined with service projects undertaken by the participants, it leads to the development of a community life pattern that is infused with the spirit of worship and ultimately promotes both spiritual and material prosperity for all.
The integration of worship and service is embodied in the institution of the Mashríq-ul-Adhkár (The Dawning Place of the Mention of God).The Structure of this Bahá'í House of Worship consists of a central building that serves as a focal point for worship in a given area, surrounded by auxiliary facilities that provide education, healthcare, and other services aimed at the social and economic development of the community. It is a space where all individuals, regardless of their faith, are welcomed to offer prayers to the one Creator, each according to their own practice and form of worship.
