The Bahá’i Faith

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.

~ Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Page 202

In prayer there is a mingling of station, a mingling of condition. Pray for them as they pray for you!

~ Abdu’l-Baha in London, Page 96

You must pray that your hearts may become filled with glorious lights, even as a purified mirror; then will the lights of the Sun of Truth shine therein. YOU MUST SUPPLICATE AND PRAY TO GOD EVERY NIGHT AND EVERY DAY, seeking His assistance and help,

~ The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Page 458

Spirit has influence; PRAYER HAS SPIRITUAL EFFECT.

~ The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Pages 246-247

The wisdom of prayer is this: That it causeth a connection between the servant and the True One, because in that state (i.e., prayer) man with all heart and soul turneth his face towards His Highness the Almighty, seeking His association and desiring His love and compassion.

~ Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abba, Page 683

The most acceptable prayer is the one offered with the utmost spirituality and radiance; its prolongation hath not been and is not beloved by God. The more detached and the purer the prayer, the more acceptable is it in the presence of God.

~ Selections From the Writings of the Báb, Page 78

 

Buddhism

Shariputra, if there are men who have already made, are now making, or shall make, prayer with the desire to be born in the land of Buddha Amitayus, THEY NEVER FAIL TO ATTAIN ANUTTARA-SAMYAKSAMBODHI, and have been born, are now being born, or shall be born in that country. Therefore, Shariputra, a good man or good woman who has the faith ought to offer up prayers to be born in that land.

Anuttara-samyaksambodhi means the highest perfection, the highest Buddha.

~ The Smaller Sukhavativyuha Sutra
http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/smaller.html

If people make a vow to chant Sutras and lead erring beings to Salvation, although they make a very good vow, but owing to their previous Karma they are very forgetful through bad memory, if such persons make offerings to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva such as scented flowers, clothing, food and drink or by placing a cup of pure water on Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's altar for one day and one night and then drink the water after PRAYING, and if such persons observe the five precepts for twenty-one days, remembering or thinking of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's name with deepest reverence, they will attain wisdom after seeing numerous transformations of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in their dreams, and remember whatever Sutra that comes to their ears. For hundreds of thousands of births, they will attain such wisdom through the supernatural powers of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Karma means retribution.

~ Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra, Chapter 12: The Benefits through Sight and Hearing

They hope and extol, pray and sacrifice for things of the senses, Punnaka. For the sake of such reward they pray. These devotees of sacrifice, infatuated by their passion for existence, do not cross beyond birth and decay, I say.

~ Khuddaka Nikaya, Sutta Nipata

On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi, at Jetavana at Anathpindika's monastery. At that time Candima, the moon deity, was seized by Rahu, lord of Asura. Thereupon calling to mind the Blessed One, Candima, the moon deity, recited this stanza:

"O Buddha, the Hero, thou art wholly free from all evil. My adoration to thee. I have fallen into distress. Be thou my refuge." Thereupon the Blessed One addressed a stanza to Rahu, Lord of Asuras, on behalf of Candima, thus: "O Rahu, Candima has gone for refuge to the Tathagata, the Consummate One. Release Candima. The Buddhas radiate compassion on the world (of beings)." Thereupon Rahu, Lord of Asuras, released Candima

~ Tipitaka, Samyutta Nikaya, Candima Sutta: The Moon Deity's Prayer for Protection

 

Cao Đài

God has promised: “IF YOU WISH TO COME TO ME, THEN YOU MUST PRAY. I have never been unresponsive to sincere prayers...”

~ Collection of Saintly Teachings I, Page 124

Đức Chí-Tôn đã hứa rằng: “Muốn đến với Thầy thì phải cầu-nguyện. Thầy không bao giờ  không cảm-ứng với những lời cầu-nguyện chân thành…

Script-xure: Collection of Saintly Teaching I (Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển I)

In a meaningful prayer session, aside from expressing our wishes, we can sing our praise and give thanks to God, and promise Him that we’ll do His will. In this way, it will help our mind avoid mundane thoughts, and helps us from being disheartened and experiencing negative emotions, and erase the lowly thinking of hatred, greed and selfishness which haunt us in our daily activities. It will EVOKE PURE AND NOBLE THOUGHTS.

~ Method of Practice, The Key to Prayers

Một buổi cầu-nguyện đầy đủ ý-nghĩa, ngoài sự bày tỏ điều mình mong muốn, chúng ta có thể xưng-tụng, ca ngợi công ơn của Thượng-Đế, và còn hứa với Ngài làm những điều đúng với Thiên-ý. Như vậy sẽ giúp cho tâm-hồn chúng ta xa lánh những tư-tưởng trần-tục, những cảm-xúc chán-nản tiêu-cực, xua đi những cảm-nghĩ thấp hèn, thù oán, tham-lam, ích-kỷ đang ám-ảnh mình trong sinh-hoạt hàng ngày, và khơi dậy những tư-tưởng thanh-cao thánh-thiện.

Book: Method of Practice (Đạo lý Thực hành)

Chapter: The Key to Prayer (Bí Pháp Cầu Nguyện)

WHEN WE PRAY, WE PUT OURSELVES IN A MUTUAL CONNECTION WITH GOD, thus enabling the lively supernatural energy and the supreme power presently existing and operating the universe to always influence and govern our daily lives. All our activities will then have the close guidance of the Divine, and unknowingly we live according to Heaven’s will, because we always have the care and support of God and the deities.

~ Method of Practice, The Key to Prayers

Chúng ta cầu-nguyện là tự đặt mình trong mối hổ-tương mật-thiết với Thượng-Đế, khiến cho sinh-lực sống động siêu-nhiên và cái quyền-năng tối-thượng đang ngự-trị và điều-hành vũ-trụ, luôn ảnh-hưởng và chi-phối trong đời sống hàng ngày của chúng ta, rồi từ đó mọi hoạt-động của chúng ta sẽ có được sự chỉ-đạo chặt-chẽ của Thiêng-liêng, khiến cho chúng ta vô-hình-trung đi đúng theo quỷ-đạo của Thiên-cơ, vì chúng ta luôn có sự quan-phòng và phối-hợp yểm-trợ của Thượng-Đế và Thần-linh.

PRAYER IS ALSO A METHOD THAT GIVES PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CLOSE TO GOD, to receive His power and blessing in order to nourish their souls. The process of praying requires no complicated rituals...only a tranquil heart is needed to focus upon God, thus, regardless of the time or location, we can always communicate with Him and hear His miraculous and transcendental Sounds.

~ Method of Practice, The Key to Prayers

Sự cầu-nguyện cũng là pháp-môn để cho họ có dịp gần-gủi với Thương-Đế, đón nhận thần-lực, ân-điển của Ngài để bồi-bổ cho tâm-linh. Thực-hiện cầu-nguyện, không đòi hỏi những chi-tiết lễ-nghi phức-tạp... mà chỉ cần có một tâm-hồn vắng lặng hướng về Thượng-Đế thì bất kỳ ở đâu, lúc nào chúng ta cũng có thể thực-hiện một cuộc tiếp-xúc đối-thoại với Ngài và lắng nghe được những huyền-âm vi-diệu của Ngài.

Book: Method of Practice (Đạo lý Thực hành)

Chapter: The Key to Prayer (Bí Pháp Cầu Nguyện)

Whenever you are in great anguish and heartbroken, don’t be so quick to sink into depression. Instead, get on your knees and pray to the Holy Mother. I’m very certain that She will never refuse you.

~ Words of the Dharma Guard

khi nào mấy em quá thống-khổ, quá đau đớn tâm-hồn, mấy em đừng vội sầu thảm, các em quỳ xuống giữa không-trung, các em nguyện với Bà Mẹ Thiêng-liêng ấy một lời cầu-nguyện, Bần Đạo quả quyết rằng Bà chẳng khi nào từ chối cùng mấy em. 

Book:  Lời của Vị Hộ Pháp

Chapter: Excerpt from lecture on Aug 15, 1952

 

Confucianism

He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray.

~ Confucian Analects, Book 3

The Master being very sick, Tsze-lu asked leave to pray for him. He said, "May such a thing be done?" Tsze-lu replied, "It may. In the Eulogies it is said, 'Prayer has been made for thee to the spirits of the upper and lower worlds.'" The Master said, "My praying has been for a long time."

~ Confucian Analects, Book 7
http://www.ishwar.com/confucianism/holy_confucian_analects/book_07.html

 

Christianity

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1&version=NIV

Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

~ Jude 1:20-21, Holy Bible

WATCH AND PRAY SO THAT YOU WILL NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION.

~ Mark 14:37-38, Holy Bible


The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but THE PRAYER OF THE UPRIGHT PLEASES HIM.

~ Proverbs 15:8, Holy Bible

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER.

~ Romans 12:12, Holy Bible

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

~ Philippians 4:6, Holy Bible

THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE.

~ James 5:13-18, Holy Bible

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

~ Matthew 5:44, Holy Bible

If you believe, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHATEVER YOU ASK FOR IN PRAYER.

~ Matthew 21:21, Holy Bible

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Holy Bible

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

~ 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Holy Bible

 
The Essenes

Fast and PRAY FERVENTLY, seeking the power of the living God for your healing.

~ The Essene Gospel of Peace, Book 1

And PRAY EVERY DAY TO YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND EARTHLY MOTHER, that your soul becomes as perfect as your Heavenly Father's holy spirit is perfect, and that your body becomes as perfect as the body of your Earthly Mother is perfect. For if you understand, feel, and do the commandments, then all for which you pray to your Heavenly Father and your Earthly Mother will be given you. For the wisdom, the love, and the power of God are above all.

~ The Essene Gospel of Peace, Book 1

For the honest work of humble hands

Is a daily prayer of thanksgiving…

~ The Essene Gospel of Peace, Book 2

When he who suffers with pains and grievous plagues asks for your help, tell him to renew himself with fasting and with prayer.

~ The Sevenfold Peace

 

Gnosticism

Pray and increase, and abide in the love of the Lord.

~ The Odes of Solomon, Ode 8:20-22

What is fitting is to pray to God with all our mind and all our heart and our soul, and to ask him that the gift of the eighth extend to us, and that each one receive from him what is his.

~ The Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/discorse.html

It is therefore fitting to pray to the father and to call on him with all our soul – not externally with the lips, but with the spirit, which is inward, which came forth from the depth – sighing; repenting for the life we lived; confessing our sins.

~ The Exegesis on the Soul
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/exe.html

It is fitting to PRAY TO GOD NIGHT AND DAY, spreading out our hands towards him as do people sailing in the middle of the sea: they pray to God with all their heart without hypocrisy.

~ The Exegesis on the Soul
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/exe.html

My son, PRAY FIRST UNTO OUR LORD AND FATHER, the One-and-Only One, from whom the One doth come, to show His mercy unto thee, in order that thou mayest have the power to catch a thought of this so mighty God, ONE SINGLE BEAM OF HIM TO SHINE INTO THY THINKING.

~ The Corpus Hermeticum, V. Though Unmanifest God Is Most Manifest
http://www.gnosis.org/library/hermes5.html

But DO YE PRAY ALWAYS AND STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH, that the Lord may root out all tares of offence and vouchsafe to gather you into his heavenly garner as pure wheat.

~ Acts of Andrew
http://www.gnosis.org/library/actandy.htm

PRAY FOR THY ENEMIES, bless them that revile thee, that thou mayest be good

like thy Father who is in heaven.

~ Psalm CCXXXIX from the Manichaean Bema Psalms
http://www.gnosis.org/library/bc39.htm

Love not pleasant odors, and DO NOT NEGLECT THE NIGHT PRAYER.

~ Instruction of Adam by an Uthra
http://www.gnosis.org/library/inst.htm

PRAYER IS THE LIFTING UP OF OUR MINDS AND HEARTS TO GOD.

~ The Gnostic Catechism
http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/catechism.htm#LESSON%20I

Mental prayer is that prayer wherein we inwardly UNITE OUR HEARTS WITH GOD. Sometimes it is called meditation.

~ The Gnostic Catechism
http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/catechism.htm#LESSON%20I

 
Hinduism

With hymns I call you, when the Sun hath risen, Mitra, and Varuna whose thoughts are holy, Whose Power Divine, supreme and everlasting, comes with GOOD HEED AT EACH MAN'S SUPPLICATION.

~ Rig Veda, Book 7, Part 5, Hymn LXV: Mitra-Varuna
http://www.ishwar.com/hinduism/holy_rig_veda/book07/book07_05.html

Hear, too, the prayer of this thy present beadsman, O Indra, Hero, cherishing the singer. For thou wast aye our fathers' Friend aforetime, still swift to listen to their supplication. Bring to our help this day, for our protection, Varuna, Mitra , Indra, and the Maruts, Pusan and Visnu, Agni and Purandhi, Savitar also, and the Plants and Mountains.

~ Rig Veda, Book 6, Part 2, Hymn XXI: Indra. Visvedevas.


Let us make supplication
To those heroes, the Adityas,
The tender, for help.

Adityas are the seven celestial deities.

~ Yajur Veda, Book 2, Part 1
http://www.ishwar.com/hinduism/holy_yajur_veda/book02/book02_01.html

With words sent forth in holy hymns, Agni we supplicate, the Lord of many families who duly serve the Gods, yea, him whom others also praise. Men have won Agni, him who makes their strength abound: we, with oblations, worship thee. Our gracious-minded Helper in our deeds of might, be thou, O Excellent, this day.

~ Rig Veda, Book 1, Part 3, Hymn XXXVI: Agni
http://www.ishwar.com/hinduism/holy_rig_veda/book01/book01_03.html

WITH HYMNS AND HOLY EULOGIES WE SUPPLICATE your Agni, Lord of many families who duly serve the Gods.

~ Sama Veda, Part 1, Book 1, Chapter 2

Fair strengtheners of vital power, young Mothers of eternal Law, MORNING AND NIGHT WE SUPPLICATE.

~ Rig Veda, Book 5, Part 1, Hymn V: Apris

He bears oblations to the Gods for whosoever supplicates. Agni BESTOWS A BLESSING ON EACH PIOUS MAN, AND OPENS WIDE THE DOORS FOR HIM.

~ Rig Veda, Book 1, Part 8, Hymn CXXVII: Agni

Agni the Priest they supplicate to grant them wealth: him, dear, most thoughtful, have they made their messenger, him, offering-bearer have they made, Beloved of all, who knoweth all, the Priest, the Holy one, the Sage – Him, Friend, for help, the Gods when they are fain for wealth, him, Friend, with hymns, when fain for wealth.

~ Rig Veda, Book 1, Part 8, Hymn CXXVII: Agni

The Maruts' high protecting aid, the Asvins, and the God who saves, Mitra and Varuna for weal we supplicate. Grant us a home with triple guard, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna!

Maruts are storm deities.
Asvins are divine twin horsemen.
Mitra is the Hindu god of friendship and alliances.
Varuna is the Vedic god of natural and moral law.
Aryaman is one of the principle celestial deities.

~ Rig Veda, Book 8, Part 2, Hymn XVIII: Adityas

http://www.ishwar.com/hinduism/holy_rig_veda/book08/book08_02.html

Hòa Hảo Buddhism

For your sin to wear away and vanish

SINCERELY PRAY MORNING AND NIGHT

~ Prophecy to Expound Poetry and Literature, Page 73
Muốn cho tội lỗi mòn tiêu,
Thành tâm cầu nguyện sớm chiều mới hay.
(Sấm Giảng Thi Văn)

 

International Society of Krishna Consciousness

Although rendering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and worshiping Him are very difficult, if one vibrates or simply reads this stotra (prayer) composed and sung by me, he will very easily be able to INVOKE THE MERCY OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD.

~ Srimad Bhagavatam, 4.24.76
http://vedabase.net/sb/4/24/76/en2

My dear sons of the King, the prayers I have recited to you are meant for pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul. I advise you to RECITE THESE PRAYERS, which are as effective as great austerities. In this way, when you are mature, YOUR LIFE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL, AND YOU WILL CERTAINLY ACHIEVE ALL YOUR DESIRED OBJECTIVES WITHOUT FAIL.

~ Srimad Bhagavatam, 4.24.79
http://vedabase.net/sb/4/24/79/en2

Therefore, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, the best of all persons to whom prayers are offered, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because without rendering six kinds of devotional service unto You – OFFERING PRAYERS, dedicating all the results of activities, worshiping You, working on Your behalf, always remembering Your lotus feet and hearing about Your glories – who can achieve that which is meant for the paramahamsas?

Paramahamsa is a title of honor for Hindu spiritual teachers of lofty status who are regarded as having attained enlightenment.

~ Srimad Bhagavatam, 7.9.50-53

http://vedabase.net/sb/7/9/en2

Because You are the protector and the supreme controller of all moving and nonmoving beings, anyone who takes shelter of Your lotus feet can never be touched by the contamination of material work, material qualities or time. Great sages who have assimilated the essential meaning of the Vedas offer their prayers to You.

~ Srimad Bhagavatam, 12.8.42
http://vedabase.net/sb/12/8/42/en2

 
Islam

And KEEP UP PRAYER and pay the poor-rate and bow down with those who bow down.

~ Holy Qur’an 2:43


And SEEK ASSISTANCE THROUGH PATIENCE AND PRAYER, and most surely it is a hard thing except for the humble ones, who know that they shall meet their Lord and that they shall return to Him.

~ Holy Qur’an 2:45-2:46
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=1320

O you who believe! Seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely ALLAH IS WITH THE PATIENT.

~ Holy Qur’an 2:153
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=1320

I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way.

~ Holy Qur’an 2:186
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=1320

Then when you have finished the prayer, remember Allah standing and sitting and reclining; but when you are secure (from danger) keep up prayer; surely PRAYER IS A TIMED ORDINANCE FOR THE BELIEVERS.

~ Holy Qur’an 4:103
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=114839

And that you should keep up prayer and be careful of your duty to Him; and He it is to Whom you shall be gathered.

~ Holy Qur’an 6:72
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=190943

And as for those who hold fast by the Book and keep up prayer, surely WE DO NOT WASTE THE REWARD OF THE RIGHT DOERS.

~ Holy Qur’an 7:170
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=227087

Make your houses places of worship and KEEP UP PRAYER and give good news to the believers.

~ Holy Qur’an 10:87
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=312617

AND KEEP UP PRAYER IN THE TWO PARTS OF THE DAY AND IN THE FIRST HOURS OF THE NIGHT.

~ Holy Qur’an 11:114
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=333828

TO HIM IS DUE THE TRUE PRAYER.

~ Holy Qur’an 13:14
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=377182

Indeed, PRAYER PROHIBITS IMMORALITY AND WRONGDOING, and the REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH IS GREATER. 

~ Holy Qur’an 29:45
http://quran.com/29/45

O my son! Keep up prayer and enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and bear patiently that which befalls you; surely these acts require courage.

~ Holy Qur’an 31:17
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=639398

We used to greet the Prophet while he was praying and he used to answer our greetings. When we returned from AnNajashi (the ruler of Ethiopia), we greeted him, but he did not answer us during the prayer and after finishing the prayer he said, "In the prayer one is occupied with a more serious matter."

~ Hadith, Volume 2, Book 22, Number 290

We used to pray with the Prophet in scorching heat, and if someone of us could not put his face on the earth (because of the heat) then he would spread his clothes and prostrate over them.

~ Hadith, Volume 2, Book 22, Number 299

DURING THE PRAYER, ALLAH IS IN FRONT OF EVERY ONE OF YOU.

~ Hadith, Volume 2, Book 22, Number 304

Whenever anyone of you is in prayer, he is speaking in private to his Lord.

~ Hadith, Volume 2, Book 22, Number 305

Jainism


84. The pious chanting of a hymn or prayer gilds one with the calm detachment and glory of the halo of a priest or devotee.

~A Treatise On Jainism, Ch. IV, III & IV
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jai/treatise.txt

 
Judaism

The Lord is far from the wicked; but HE HEARETH THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

~ Proverbs 15:29, Holy Ketuvim
http://www.ishwar.com/judaism/holy_ketuvim/book02/book02_015.html

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper that love thee.

~ Psalms 122:7, Holy Ketuvim

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto Thee do I pray. O the Lord, in the morning shalt Thou hear my voice; in the morning will I order my prayer unto Thee, and will look forward.

~ Psalms 5:3-5:4, Holy Ketuvim

He prayeth unto God, and He is favorable unto him; so that he seeth His face with joy; and He restoreth unto man his righteousness.

~ Job 33:26, Holy Ketuvim

 

Mormonism

Source: http://script-xures.lds.org/en/search?type=words&last=meditation&help=&wo=checked&search=prayer&do=Search&iw=script-xures&tx=checked&af=checked&hw=checked&sw=checked&bw=1

Or www.lds.org

Yea, humble yourselves, and CONTINUE IN PRAYER unto him.

~ The Book of Alma 34:19

Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

~ The Book of Alma 34:26-34:27

Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye BE WATCHFUL UNTO PRAYER CONTINUALLY, THAT YE MAY NOT BE LED AWAY BY THE TEMPTATIONS of the devil.

~ The Book of Alma 34:39

And, as it is written – WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN FAITH, BEING UNITED IN PRAYER ACCORDING TO MY COMMAND, YE SHALL RECEIVE.

~ Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 29:6

Let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant.

~ Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 88:131

And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.

~ The Book of Mormon, Chapter 5
http://script-xures.lds.org/en/morm/5

 

Neoplatonism

A part of the Sacred Rites and not the least important is that of the prayers. They fill out the sacrifices to the fullest extent, and through these the entire performance becomes established and perfect. They likewise effect the general combined operation with the worship, and bring the Sacred Service into indissoluble co-partnership with the gods.

~ The Egyptian Mysteries, Chapter 13

I affirm, therefore, that the first ideal of prayer is a collecting of our thoughts and likewise a leading to contact and a genuine knowing of God.

~ The Egyptian Mysteries, Chapter 13

No sacred performance takes place properly, without the supplications in the prayers. But continual exercise in them NOURISHES OUR MIND AND SPIRITUAL NATURE, makes the reception-chambers of the soul vastly more spacious for the gods, opens the arcana of the gods to human beings, accustoms us to the irradiations of the Light, and by degrees perfects the qualities within us to a conjoining with the gods, bringing us back again to the very summit. It quietly DRAWS UPWARD OUR HABITS OF THOUGHT AND IMPARTS TO US THE MORAL QUALITIES OF THE GODS.

~ The Egyptian Mysteries, Chapter 13
http://www.esotericarchives.com/oracle/iambl_t3.htm

 

Shintoism

Therefore, the Mikado went on vegetarian diet and took a bath to purify himself. Then he went out of the palace and sincerely prayed to Heaven. (於是,帝齋戒沐浴,親出庭禱.俄而,澍雨.群臣舞蹈,皆呼萬歲.)

~ Kokushi Ryaku, Volume 2 (日本國史略,卷第二)
http://miko.org/~uraki/kuon/furu/text/siryaku/siryaku02-050.htm

To the divine, exalted kami, I humbly offer my prayers.

Teach me to live with a pure and sincere heart.

Kami means deity.

~ Shinto Norito: A Book of Prayers

http://books.google.com.tw/books?id=tNb9_AvNr8UC&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=SHIN+PAISHI&source=bl&ots=n_a3CyBY_K&sig=yK86Vg8sDAz4awCzpcous9L28nk&hl=zh-TW&ei=tfQpTLGRC5SjcZnm9NQC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=SHIN%20PAISHI&f=false

Sikhism

In the Court of the True One, YOU SHALL SIT IN TRUTHFUL DEVOTION AND PRAYER.

~ Holy Guru Granth Sahib, 55:1634
http://www.ishwar.com/sikhism/holy_guru_granth_sahib/section05/part05_042.html

Nanak OFFERS THIS PRAYER TO THE LORD, that he may meet the Guru, and find peace.

~ Holy Guru Granth Sahib, 758:1241
http://www.ishwar.com/sikhism/holy_guru_granth_sahib/section19/part19_031.html

STAND AND OFFER YOUR PRAYER, to the One who cannot be moved by force. O Nanak, the Naam, the Name of the Lord, abides within the mind of the Gurmukh; hearing his prayer, the Lord applauds him.

Gurmukh means one who follows the Guru’s teachings.

~ Holy Guru Granth Sahib, 994:219
http://www.ishwar.com/sikhism/holy_guru_granth_sahib/section25/part25_006.html

The human body is the mosque, and the mind is the priest, who peacefully leads the prayer.

~ Holy Guru Granth Sahib, 1167:2121
http://www.ishwar.com/sikhism/holy_guru_granth_sahib/section28/part28_043.html

Nanak makes this prayer to God: "Please, come and unite me with Yourself."

~ Holy Guru Granth Sahib, 134:1711

The True Guru has listened to my prayer. ALL MY AFFAIRS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. Deep within my mind and body, I meditate on God. The Perfect Guru has dispelled all my fears.

~ Holy Guru Granth Sahib, 1152:1348-1351

 

Spiritualism/Spiritism

http://www.espirito.org.br/portal/download/pdf/en/the-gospel-according.pdf

Have pity on those who have not entered into Heaven. Help them with your prayers, because PRAYER HELPS MANKIND APPROACH THE MOST HIGH; it is what links Heaven and Earth. Do not forget!

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

So at night, at the time of prayer and repose, contemplate the full canopy of the sky and the innumerable spheres which shine over your head, and ask yourself which ones lead to God and ask Him for one of these regenerating worlds to open to receive you after your atonement here on Earth.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

PRAYER SUPPORTS THE SOUL; however, alone it is not enough. It is also necessary to have a firm belief in the kindness of God as the basis for deep faith.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

Love, pray, be gentle to the Spirits of the Lord, and call unto them from the bottom of your hearts. Then He will send His beloved son to instruct you and to say these goodly words: "I am come because you called me."

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

PRAY AND WAIT, because happiness still is not of this world.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

THINK OF THOSE WHO SUFFER AND PRAY FOR THEM.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

With thought by praying for the unfortunate who have been abandoned, for those who die without even finding conditions to enable them to see the light, A PRAYER FROM YOUR HEART WILL ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERING.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

Do not prolong your prayers because it is not by the multiplicity of the words that you will be heard, but by their sincerity.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

Prayer is an invocation through which, by means of thought, Man enters into

communication with the being to whom he directed himself.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

When someone prays to beings other than God, these are serving as mediators or intercessors, because nothing can happen without God's wishes.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

What the prayers do is not to remove the wrong from us, but turn us away from our bad thoughts which cause us harm. The prayers in no way prevent the fulfilling of God's laws, nor do they suspend the course of the laws of Nature. They stop us from infringing these laws by guiding our free will.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

On attending to a request which has been addressed to Him, God desires to recompense the intention, the devotion and the faith of the one who prays. This is why THE PRAYERS OF A GOOD PERSON HAVE GREATER MERIT IN GOD'S EYES AND ARE ALWAYS MORE EFFECTIVE, because the corrupt and evil person cannot pray with the same fervor and confidence which comes only from a sentiment of true piety.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

THE POWER OF PRAYER LIES IN THE THOUGHT and does not depend on words, the place or the moment in which it is proffered. Therefore it is possible to PRAY IN ALL PLACES, AT ANY TIME, ALONE OR WITH OTHERS.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

COMMUNAL PRAYER HAS A MORE POWERFUL ACTION when all who are praying join together in a heartfelt thought and envisage the same objective, since it is as if many beseeched together in one voice.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

You should PRAY CONSTANTLY without seeking your chapel or falling on your knees in public. Daily prayer is the fulfillment of your duty without any exception of any kind whatsoever.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

SAY YOUR PRAYERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR CONVICTIONS and in the manner which is most agreeable to you since a good thought is worth more than numerous words which do not touch the heart.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

THE OBJECT OF PRAYER IS TO ELEVATE OUR SOUL TO GOD. The diversity of forms should not establish any difference between those who believe in Him and even less between the adepts of Spiritism, because God accepts all of them when they are sincere.

~ The Gospel According to Spiritism

Sufism

When someone is at prayer, they should not stop to greet their father and brother. DISREGARD OF FRIENDS WHILE BEING ENGAGED IN PRAYER IS THE HIGHEST REGARD, and the greatest courtesy, since that person does not break away from absorption with God on account of dear ones.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 3

Someone asked: “Is there any way nearer to God than prayer?” Rumi answered: Yes, but it is also prayer. It is prayer without the outward form. This outer form of prayer is the body of prayer, since it has a beginning and ending.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 3

Now, Mohammed, who invented the Muslim prayer, said, “I have a time with God not contained by any prophet, nor limited by any angel next to God.” Hence we realize that the SOUL OF PRAYER is not the outer form alone. Rather it is a complete absorption, a state without room for these outward forms.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 3

Rumi said: When they were desperate and weak and had no strength, GOD HELPED THEM AND ANSWERED THEIR PRAYER.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 15

When a person enters upon the Way of God, for a while their prayers will be short. But

after that, if they pray with their whole heart, their prayers will go on and on without end.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 21

THERE IS NO PRAYER WITHOUT THE HEART BEING PRESENT.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 38

The outer form of prayer is temporary, the inner spirit never ends. For the Spirit of the world is an infinite ocean, the body but a limited shore. Therefore, CONTINUAL PRAYER BELONGS ONLY TO THE SPIRIT, but that inward prayer must manifest.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 38

For instance, you pray to gain rewards in the next world and to acquire a good name and safety in the present. But the help derived from prayer is not limited to that—it also bestows a hundred thousand advantages you will never understand. Only God, who gives rise to your prayer, knows those advantages.

~ Discourses of Rumi, Discourse 54

Swedenborgianism

WHENEVER WE PRAY TO HIM HE GRACIOUSLY LISTENS.

~ True Christian Religion
http://www.biblemeanings.info/books/tcr/sect-138ff.html

Actual repentance is to examine oneself, to recognize and acknowledge one's sins, to hold oneself guilty, to confess sins before the Lord, to PRAY FOR HELP and power to resist them, and thus refrain from them and begin a new life.

~ True Christian Religion
http://www.biblemeanings.info/books/tcr/sect-509ff.html

Everyone who PRAYS IN HIS HEART TO GOD implores Him to lead him because He is able to do so.

~ The Divine Providence
http://www.biblemeanings.info/NewTruth/dp/sect-154ff.html

It matters not that a man bears himself humbly, that he kneels and sighs when he prays; for these are externals, and unless externals proceed from internals they are only gestures and sounds without life.

~ Apocalypse Explained
http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ae/ae07.htm

Man's "heart" is his love, and man's love is his very life, consequently a man's prayers are such as his love is, that is, such as his life is; from which it follows that "PRAYERS" SIGNIFY THE LIFE OF HIS LOVE AND CHARITY, or that this life is meant by "prayers" in the spiritual sense.

~ Apocalypse Explained
http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ae/ae07.htm

WHEN MAN IS IN A LIFE OF CHARITY HE IS CONSTANTLY PRAYING.

~ Apocalypse Explained
http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ae/ae07.htm

The Lord's merit means that by His own power He saved those who believe in Him, and who do what He has commanded. This merit cannot be imputed, but it can be prayed for.

~ Apocalypse Explained
http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ae/ae17.htm

If the man PRAYS FROM LOVE AND FAITH, and for only heavenly and spiritual things, there then comes forth in the prayer something like a revelation (which is manifested in the affection of him that prays) as to hope, consolation, or a certain inward joy.

~ Arcana Coelestia
http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ac/ac051.htm

If therefore these interiors of man are not inwardly in adoration and PRAYERS, there is no soul and life in them, but only an external such as is that of flatterers and pretenders, and that these are not pleasing to a wise man in the world is well known.

~ Arcana Coelestia
http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ac/ac203.htm

 

Tibetan Buddhism

When you feel sleepy during Meditation, try

To PRAY HARD WITH YOUR AWAKENED BODY, MOUTH AND MIND.

~ Sixty Songs of Milarepa

This prayer (Prayer of Taking Refuge) is my sole shelter, and I DEPEND UPON IT ALONE IN MY DEVOTION AND PRACTICE. You should also PRAY EARNESTLY TO YOUR GURU AND THE THREE PRECIOUS ONES, not merely by words but by sincerely taking them as your true Refuge. The benefit of this is very great as I have told you before.

~ The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, Vol. 2, The Enlightenment of Rechungpa

The Universal White Brotherhood

The other REAL SIDE OF LIFE IS PRAYER….Contemporary people think that prayer in general is for simple people. They consider prayer to be something simple, as far as the scientist, the genius and the saint are concerned. In fact, if we look at the life of the genius, the scientist and the saint, we will see that it is praying from beginning to end. Their lives start and end with a prayer.

~ In Contact with God

So, only those who are ready to understand prayer in an inner and intuitive way can realize its deep inner meaning. There is no contemporary language that can express the great idea that is hidden in the concept of prayer.

~ In Contact with God

To pray means to TURN YOUR MIND, HEART, SOUL AND SPIRIT TO THAT SOURCE OF LIFE, from which you have come.

~ In Contact with God

When someone asks whether we can live without praying, it is similar to thinking that we can live without breathing.

~ In Contact with God

ONE'S THINKING CANNOT BE DEVELOPED WITHOUT PRAYING.

~ In Contact with God

So, remember the following truth: there is not a greater thing in human life than prayer. No matter what people may tell you, DO NOT FORGET THE IMPORTANCE AND VITAL NECESSITY OF PRAYING, OF INNER COMMUNICATION WITH GOD. Neither knowledge, nor Love and Wisdom on Earth can be compared with praying, with one's communion with the First Cause. When people pray and put all their virtues to work – that is the power of the prayer.

~ In Contact with God

Prayer should include the qualities of Love, Wisdom, Truth, Righteousness, Virtue, Compassion and a number of other virtues.

~ In Contact with God

Thanks to praying we become CONDUCTORS OF SUPREME FORCES AND NOBLE MEANS through which the entire human species is sustained. The soul needs inner, spiritual food that can be provided only by praying.

~ In Contact with God

EVERY LIVING BEING PRAYS. Both animals and plants pray. The fragrance that plants spread in the air is their prayer.

~ In Contact with God

PRAY TO GOD IN TRUTH.

~ The Beauty of Life

We pray for those whom we love that God gives them His blessing. We also pray for those we do not love, and ask God that this or that befalls them; we shall send them a blessing. Therefore we PRAY FOR THOSE WE LOVE, AND THOSE WE DO NOT LOVE.

~ The Little Blade of Grass

 

Zoroastrianism

During the first part of the day and the last, during the first part of the night and the last, that his mind may be increased in intelligence and wax strong in holiness. So shall he sit up, in DEVOTION AND PRAYERS, THAT HE MAY BE INCREASED IN INTELLIGENCE.

~ Holy Zend Avesta, Vendidad: Fargard 4:45

With outspread hands in petition for that help, O Mazda, I WILL PRAY FOR THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, O thou the Right, whereby I may please the will of Good Thought and the Ox-Soul.

Mazda means Supreme Wisdom
~ Holy Zend Avesta, Yasna: Yasna 28

 

The wise whom thou knowest as worthy, for their right (doing) and their good thought, for them do thou fulfill their longing for attainment. For I know WORDS OF PRAYER ARE EFFECTIVE with Ye, which tend to a good object.
~ Holy Zend Avesta, Yasna: Yasna 28
http://www.ishwar.com/zoroastrianism/holy_zend_avesta/yasna/yasna_28.html