On October 7, 2022, a 22-year-old Black woman in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, “escaped from a white man who she says held her captive in his basement for nearly a month, whipping, torturing, and raping her repeatedly,” as reported in Democracy Now!’s global news report.

She and the other Black women who she said were sexually abused or killed by him represent the tens of thousands of Black women and girls who go missing every year in the United States. 

RELATED: Are Black Women Invisible?

In East Africa, every 36 seconds, one person is likely to die of hunger between now and the end of the year, according to a recent report by Oxfam International. They represent the 829 million people who are undernourished around the world, as of 2015.

RELATED: 7 Powerful Prayers for Help From God

About 1.6 billion people in the world may lack adequate housing. And, with the danger of Russia deploying nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine, President Joe Biden warned that “the world is at risk of a nuclear ‘Armageddon,’” as reported by AP News.

RELATED: 6 Powerful Prayers for Safety and Protection

Humanity is suffering across the planet. In a letter written by the Universal House of Justice, the global governing body of the Baha’i Faith, in November 2020, they wrote:

There is a mounting realization on the part of the world’s people that the decades ahead are set to bring with them challenges among the most daunting that the human family has ever had to face.

We need healing, justice, equity, aid, love, unity, and peace. May these Baha’i prayers for humanity inspire your pursuits to better this world and fuel your efforts to work toward a brighter future.

1. A Baha’i Prayer for Uniting Humanity

Can you imagine how much justice we would have if humanity was so united that our hearts were connected by God’s indissoluble bond? Then we all would feel pain whenever we witness segments of our human family that are hurt and suffering. Our hearts would beat as one.

This prayer that Abdu’l-Baha, one of the central figures of the Baha’i Faith, revealed asks God to unify humanity, giving “light to our eyes, hearing to our ears, and understanding and love to our hearts”:

O Thou compassionate Lord, Thou Who art generous and able! We are servants of Thine sheltered beneath Thy providence. Cast Thy glance of favor upon us. Give light to our eyes, hearing to our ears, and understanding and love to our hearts. Render our souls joyous and happy through Thy glad tidings. 

O Lord! Point out to us the pathway of Thy kingdom and resuscitate all of us through the breaths of the Holy Spirit. Bestow upon us life everlasting and confer upon us never-ending honor. Unify mankind and illumine the world of humanity. May we all follow Thy pathway, long for Thy good pleasure and seek the mysteries of Thy kingdom. 

O God! Unite us and connect our hearts with Thy indissoluble bond.  Verily, Thou art the Giver, Thou art the Kind One and Thou art the Almighty.

2. A Baha’i Prayer for Mercy for Humanity

In this prayer that Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, revealed, we entreat God to bestow His mercy and grace on humanity:

My God, Whom I worship and adore!  I bear witness unto Thy unity and Thy oneness, and acknowledge Thy gifts, both in the past and in the present. Thou art the All-Bountiful, the overflowing showers of Whose mercy have rained down upon high and low alike, and the splendors of Whose grace have been shed over both the obedient and the rebellious. 

O God of mercy, before Whose door the quintessence of mercy hath bowed down, and round the sanctuary of Whose Cause loving-kindness, in its inmost spirit, hath circled, we beseech Thee, entreating Thine ancient grace, and seeking Thy present favor, that Thou mayest have mercy upon all who are the manifestations of the world of being, and deny them not the outpourings of Thy grace in Thy days.

All are but poor and needy, and Thou, verily, art the All-Possessing, the All-Subduing, the All-Powerful.

3. A Baha’i Prayer for the Advancement of Humanity

In this prayer that Abdu’l-Baha revealed, we ask God to help humanity progress and acquire knowledge that is pertinent to our physical and spiritual reality:

O God, O Thou Who hast cast Thy splendor over the luminous realities of men, shedding upon them the resplendent lights of knowledge and guidance, and hast chosen them out of all created things for this supernal grace, and hast caused them to encompass all things, to understand their inmost essence, and to disclose their mysteries, bringing them forth out of darkness into the visible world! ‘He verily showeth His special mercy to whomsoever He will.’

O Lord, help Thou Thy loved ones to acquire knowledge and the sciences and arts, and to unravel the secrets that are treasured up in the inmost reality of all created beings. Make them to hear the hidden truths that are written and embedded in the heart of all that is. Make them to be ensigns of guidance amongst all creatures, and piercing rays of the mind shedding forth their light in this, the ‘first life.’ Make them to be leaders unto Thee, guides unto Thy path, runners urging men on to Thy Kingdom.

Thou verily art the Powerful, the Protector, the Potent, the Defender, the Mighty, the Most Generous.

As Abdu’l-Baha said:

To be a Baha’i simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood.

Let’s all pray for humanity and do our best to serve it to the best of our abilities.

In every life we have some trouble,
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy!

~Bobby McFerrin, 1988 song lyrics

Don’t worry, be happy. You may recognize these four words as part of the Bobby McFerrin song or perhaps you know of the famous quote by Indian mystic and sage Meher Baba. Either way, it’s simple, succinct advice. It sounds easy enough, and almost a cliché–can we actually apply it in today’s hustle-and-bustle, high-stress world?

What do we worry about? Well, just about everything: sometimes we worry over excelling in school, being evaluated at work, being good parents, and making friends. We worry about getting enough exercise, getting enough sleep, eating right, and paying the bills. Some of us worry about feeding our families and keeping a roof over our heads. We worry about taking care of our loved ones, taking care of the environment, or even taking care of our spirituality. We worry about the meaning of life.

This anxiety hits everyone–it doesn’t discriminate. Even those who counsel the worriers worry. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health practitioners fall prey to insecurities, worries, and even deep sadness. Rich or poor, young or old, anyone can experience these stressors.

Despite being a psychologist for some 15 years now, I, too, often experience anxiety and worry.

In light of all of this worry present in our lives, our society promotes, advertises and uses a plethora of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications. Those prescription medications set new records for sales every year. In the United States alone, anti-depressant use has increased more than 400% in the past twenty years; and one in ten Americans now take medications to combat their anxiety and depression. But what about other approaches? Can we cope with our worries without medication?

Medication is a personal choice, and one best made with the advice of an appropriately-trained (and licensed) medical professional. Some may suffer such extreme anxiety that medication best addresses their trauma. But with the concern over side effects, long-term impacts, and dependency, it behooves us all to research and attempt alternative approaches.

As I mentioned, I have often experienced anxiety and worry in my own life. My alternative to meds? Prayer. My personal daily mantra is my favorite prayer, from the Baha’i Writings:

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.

Happiness and freedom from anxiety, this prayer seems to say, are conscious choices. Rather than waiting for some future time or condition that will somehow make us happy, we can all make the willful choice to live into our own happiness now.

Besides prayer, there are many other things you can try when you feel anxiety creeping in. Helpful methods include meditation, journaling, counseling, or talking to a supportive friend. Many people find their joy in physical activity–such as walking, swimming, or yoga–as a way of counteracting stress and worry. Limit your caffeine intake. Use lavender oil in your bath. Try gardening. Focus on something positive. Do what you love to do–paint, write, sing, dance. Volunteer or help someone in need; helping others makes a great tool for getting our minds off our own worries.

I’ll share a funny story about de-stressing at work. Yes, don’t fret; you can lift your spirits and ease your mind at the office. My coworkers recently started a “happy train.”

No, I’m not kidding: at the start of the work day, someone pulls up Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” song on her iPod, she plays it loudly, and she starts dancing down the hallway, grabbing coworkers on the way. Soon, a long train of happy dancers wiggle their way through the building, spreading cheer and laughter. If that doesn’t succeed in eliminating your worries, it will probably make you laugh with (and at) your silly coworkers, at the very least. Laughter, we all know, can ease pain, erase anxiety and elevate anyone’s mood.

The next time you feel anxious, please try one of these suggestions, or even a combination of them. If you wish, sit somewhere quiet and recite the aforementioned “refresh and gladden prayer” (as I like to call it). Enjoy the great outdoors as you walk or garden. Help out at your local homeless shelter. Or start a “happy train” at work. Make the choice: don’t worry, be happy.

The miracle of childbirth transforms people. Parents and grandparents feel mesmerized watching each infant emerge and evolve into an intelligent, creative being with unique personality traits and proclivities. We wonder: What is my role in sculpting this soft, sweet ball of human clay? The way we spend our time, the words we speak, and the sheer number of times we cuddle will all gently influence the child’s destiny, even though genetics have already programmed so many indicators of personality and potential.

Today’s parents refer to an arsenal of books, websites, friends and paraphernalia to help them become the best parents they can be. They may study ways to educate their child at home, and may sign up for school waiting lists while the baby still wears diapers. In wealthy communities, they price out everything from beds to backpacks to intercoms to car seats. Sometimes parents forget a simple parenting aid that comes free of charge and never needs revision, a new battery, a subscription renewal or a systems update: Prayer.

RELATED: My 3-Year-Old Says His First Prayer

I know Baha’is who begin praying for their children still at rest in the womb, and who help their babies hear the cadence of prayer even while too young to understand the words. They discuss concepts and memorize daily prayers as they teach their toddlers, and they use prayer to calm their children at ages when some parents struggle to find adequate means to teach impulse control or mindfulness.

When my own children were young, we prayed and read inspirational quotes together daily and also during a weekend tradition spending time at the lake, but I also prayed very hard on my own for them to maximize their potential. Amazed, I realized that they soon could read and think and theorize beyond their years. Where were these prayers leading them? It became a little scary to me at times. Ah, I realized, I had not spoken specifically enough in my prayers. I began to pray that they would maximize their potential to serve humanity.

I saw an almost immediate change. Over the coming years, their interests took on a more expansive scope. They thought about how their skills fit into a broader global context, how their science or literacy or language skills could solve environmental challenges or unite and uplift people who needed more equity or empathy. They set life goals and career paths based on this sense of purpose. I felt such relief.

Only when they had reached well into adulthood did I realize that I also needed to pray for my children to maximize their potential to find personal happiness, by starting families and experiencing the love that comes to parents as they have their own children. My prayers aligned with their evolving steps toward family life, sometimes confounding coincidence. What a fascinating realization, to see how effectively prayer can help us serve our children’s needs during all phases of life.

My children were half-grown when I learned of the Baha’i Faith and its beautiful prayers, and began to use them for a child’s development and a parent’s hopes and dreams. What a boon the Baha’i Writings have become. As I began to meditate on these prayers while working to help children link education with service to humanity, my “family” grew to include children in schools around the world. Prayer became a plumb line for me, helping me face with inspiration and integrity the obligations that assailed me to offer this extended family the same sense of purpose I sought for my own children. Miracles have fallen into my life for the past 32 years as a result of the third prayer listed in this essay, a prayer so powerfully and frequently answered. I wish that same gift for every parent of faith, because prayer lies so close within our grasp.

May the following prayers by Abdul-Baha provide inspiration to enhance your specific appeals as you raise your children and grandchildren, cradling each sweet ball of human clay with wonderment, to discover who they might become.

A Daily Prayer for Pregnant Mothers:

O my Lord, I dedicate that which is in my womb unto Thee. Then cause it to be a praiseworthy child in Thy Kingdom and a fortunate one by Thy favor and Thy generosity; to develop and to grow up under the charge of Thine education. Verily, Thou art the Gracious! Verily, Thou art the Lord of Great Favor! – Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayers, p. 66.

A Daily Prayer for Young Children to Understand and Memorize:

O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful. – Ibid., p. 36.

A Parent’s Prayer that Children will Find a Purpose for Unique Talents:

O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness. Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving. – Ibid., p. 34.

RELATED: O God! Educate These Children

A Parent’s Prayer that Adolescents will Embrace Service and Spiritual Leadership:

O Lord! Make this youth radiant, and confer Thy bounty upon this poor creature. Bestow upon him knowledge, grant him added strength at the break of every morn and guard him within the shelter of Thy protection so that he may be freed from error, may devote himself to the service of Thy Cause, may guide the wayward, lead the hapless, free the captives and awaken the heedless, that all may be blessed with Thy remembrance and praise. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful. – Ibid., p. 37.

A Parent’s Prayer that Youth will Offer Inspiration to their Generation:

O Thou kind Lord! Graciously bestow a pair of heavenly wings unto each of these fledglings, and give them spiritual power, that they may wing their flight through this limitless space and may soar to the heights of the Abha Kingdom. O Lord! Strengthen these fragile seedlings that each one may become a fruitful tree, verdant and flourishing.

Render these souls victorious through the potency of Thy celestial hosts, that they may be able to crush the forces of error and ignorance and to unfurl the standard of fellowship and guidance amidst the people; that they may, even as the reviving breaths of the spring, refresh and quicken the trees of human souls and like unto vernal showers make the meads of that region green and fertile. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful; Thou art the Bestower and the All-Loving. – Baha’i Prayers and Readings (Australia), pp. 356-357.

 

Prayer is the sweetest state in the world. Through prayer, we converse and commune with the Architect of the Universe — our Creator who knows us better than we know ourselves. 

RELATED: 6 Tips for Your Daily Prayers

Reciting and meditating on the verses of God can refresh, inspire, and heal your body, mind, and soul. Whether you’re experiencing sorrow, crises, or calamities, these powerful Baha’i prayers for help from God can uplift, guide, and assist you when you are in need.

RELATED: 6 Powerful Prayers for Safety and Protection

1. A Short Prayer to Ask God for Help During Difficulty

This short, but powerful, prayer is likely one of the most known and recited prayers by Baha’is around the world. The Bab, the forerunner and herald of Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, revealed this prayer for us to ask God for help in times of difficulty:

Is there any Remover of difficulties save God?  Say: Praised be God!  He is God!  All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!

2. A Short Prayer Asking for Help and Guidance

Regardless of what problems we are facing, this short, powerful prayer asks God for help, guidance, and inspiration. Baha’u’llah wrote:

In regard to his affairs, let him repeat nineteen times:

‘Thou seest me, O my God, detached from all save Thee and cleaving unto Thee. Guide me, then, in all mine affairs unto that which profiteth me for the glory of Thy Cause and the loftiness of the station of Thy loved ones.’

Let him then reflect upon the matter and undertake whatever cometh to mind. This vehement opposition of the enemies will indeed give way to supreme prosperity.

3. A Prayer for Aid and Assistance

This has always been one of my favorite Baha’i prayers for aid and assistance. Baha’u’llah beautifully illustrated our journey to be closer to God through these holy words:

O Thou Whose face is the object of my adoration, Whose beauty is my sanctuary, Whose habitation is my goal, Whose praise is my hope, Whose providence is my companion, Whose love is the cause of my being, Whose mention is my solace, Whose nearness is my desire, Whose presence is my dearest wish and highest aspiration, I entreat Thee not to withhold from me the things Thou didst ordain for the chosen ones among Thy servants. Supply me, then, with the good of this world and of the next.

Thou, truly, art the King of all men. There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

4. A Prayer Asking God to Help Just Governments

Abdu’l-Baha, the son of Baha’u’llah and the authorized interpreter of the Baha’i writings, revealed this prayer, asking God to help every just government that protects the poor and weak:

O my God! O Thou Who endowest every just power and equitable dominion with abiding glory and everlasting might, with permanence and stability, with constancy and honour! Aid Thou by Thy heavenly grace every government that acteth justly towards its subjects and every sovereign authority, derived from Thee, that shieldeth the poor and the weak under the banner of its protection.

I beseech Thee, by Thy divine grace and surpassing bounty, to aid this just government, the canopy of whose authority is spread over vast and mighty lands and the evidences of whose justice are apparent in its prosperous and flourishing regions. Assist, O my God, its hosts, raise aloft its ensigns, bestow influence upon its word and its utterance, protect its lands, increase its honour, spread its fame, reveal its signs, and unfurl its banner through Thine all-subduing power and Thy resplendent might in the kingdom of creation.

Thou, verily, aidest whomsoever Thou willest, and Thou, verily, art the Almighty, the Most Powerful.

5. A Prayer for Help in Fulfilling Our Hopes

In this prayer that Abdu’l-Baha revealed, we ask for divine grace and blessings, imploring God to help us achieve what we have hoped for:

O God! Grant Thy favour, and bestow Thy blessing. Vouchsafe Thy grace, and give a portion of Thy bounty. Enable these men to witness during this year the fulfilment of their hopes. Send down Thy heavenly rain, and provide Thy plenteousness and abundance. Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty.

6. A Prayer for Help With Serving Humanity

Baha’u’llah revealed this prayer to assist us in becoming steadfast in our faith and service to humanity:

O my God! O my God! I testify that this is Thy Day which hath been mentioned in Thy Books, Thy Epistles, Thy Psalms and Thy Tablets. In it Thou hast manifested that which was hidden in Thy Knowledge and stored up in the repositories of Thine unfailing protection. I beseech Thee, O Lord of the world, by Thy Most Great Name whereby the limbs of the people were shaken, to assist Thy servants and Thy handmaidens to become steadfast in Thy Cause and to arise in Thy service.

Verily, Thou art potent to do whatsoever Thou willest, and in Thy grasp are the reins of all things. Thou protectest whomsoever Thou willest through Thy Power and Dominion. And verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Subduing, the Most Powerful.

7. A Prayer for Assistance in Becoming Strengthened and United

This prayer by Abdu’l-Baha implores God to strengthen, unite, and “lead us to the well-spring of Life”:

O Thou divine Providence, pitiful are we, grant us Thy succour; homeless wanderers, give us Thy shelter; scattered, do Thou unite us; astray, gather us to Thy fold; bereft, do Thou bestow upon us a share and portion; athirst, lead us to the well-spring of Life; frail, strengthen us that we may arise to help Thy Cause and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice in the pathway of guidance.

As Abdu’l-Baha wrote:

O thou who art turning thy face towards God! Close thine eyes to all things else, and open them to the realm of the All-Glorious. Ask whatsoever thou wishest of Him alone; seek whatsoever thou seekest from Him alone.

With a look He granteth a hundred thousand hopes, with a glance He healeth a hundred thousand incurable ills, with a nod He layeth balm on every wound, with a glimpse He freeth the hearts from the shackles of grief. He doeth as He doeth, and what recourse have we? He carrieth out His Will, He ordaineth what He pleaseth. Then better for thee to bow down thy head in submission, and put thy trust in the All-Merciful Lord.

Since time immemorial, prayers have been offered by individuals during times of sickness and collectively in ceremonies to celebrate the Divine Reality and to ask for blessings. 

Current scientific exploration of metaphysical issues — such as the dynamics of prayer and meditation in healing — is fraught with challenges because of our inability to measure non-material aspects of these phenomena. On the other hand, Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, expounded on the future of science and stated that one of the two signs for the coming of age of the human race will be the emergence of science as a “divine philosophy.” “This is an indication of the splendours of the future stupendous expansion of knowledge.” Although we are far from reaching humanity’s coming of age, we might envision the possibility that the expansion of knowledge would include unraveling the spiritual power of prayer and meditation.

“It is the language of the soul to commune with its Creator, a way of giving expression to spiritual aspirations.”

RELATED: Progress on the Spiritual Path: Through Prayer or Action?

In their 2009 book “How God Changes Your Brain,” neuroscientist Andrew Newberg and therapist Mark Robert Waldman wrote that “Most dictionaries define prayer as the act of communicating with a deity, especially in the form of a request or a petition for help. Meditation, however, is commonly defined as a contemplative reflection or mental exercise designed to bring a heightened level of spiritual awareness.” For people living in ancient times, prayer was the only means of seeking solace and security. It is the language of the soul to commune with its Creator, a way of giving expression to spiritual aspirations. 

As to meditation, Abdu’l Baha, the son of Baha’u’llah, said in a speech in 1913, “It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed.”

A 2016 Gallup poll of religiosity in the United States revealed that 89% of American adults believe in God or a Universal Spirit. In another survey, 87% of participants said that religion was important in their lives. Additional research shows that 76% of Americans pray daily, with many acknowledging that they turn to prayers for assistance to overcome disease.

While the adherents of religions exercise the practice of prayer as a matter of faith, scientists have been interested in the health benefits of prayer since at least the 19th century. In 1872 Sir Francis Galton, for instance, conducted a retrospective study of the effects of prayer on the British monarchs. In more recent times, similar research has been vigorously pursued. Its goal is to discover the nature and depth of prayer’s healing effect on distress and disease as well as on people’s well-being.  In a carefully designed study of 990 cardiac patients using randomized, controlled, double-blind, and prospective investigation it was found that intercessory prayers may be effective as an addition to standard treatment of these patients. A Swedish study of kidney transplant patients also reported that those patients who were prayed for were better able to cope with stress and had less organ rejection.

However, some people feel that researchers who are seeking hard evidence of the power of prayer have misunderstood its nature, judging its benefits solely by its physical effect on an individual.  Prayers, and meditation, for that matter, can be viewed as tools for relaxation and serenity — having neurophysiological effects on the brain, heart, blood pressure, and muscle tension. But from the perspective of religion and spirituality, they may have other effects that are not measurable by means available to science.  

Abdu’l-Baha tells us, “There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means.  The first is by the use of remedies of medicine; the second consists in praying to God and in turning to Him.  Both means should be used and practiced.” Medical science uses clinical observation and technology to diagnose and treat disease and to restore health. Prayer is a spiritual process that enhances healing and restores hope and wholeness. Together these two complement one another.  In his 2002 book “Inner Quest,” author Pandit Rajmani Tigunait wrote that “Spirituality is a complete science that entails a comprehensive study of the intrinsic nature of the soul and its relationship both to the external world and to universal consciousness.” 

In a talk in London in 1913, Abdu’l-Baha stated that “Meditation is the key to opening the doors of mysteries; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves. To illustrate this, think of man as endowed with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being used the outward power of vision does not see.” Abdu’l-Baha nevertheless draws our attention to the fact that “some thoughts are useless… But if the faculty of meditation is bathed in the inner light and characterized with divine attributes, the results will be confirmed.”

Exploring the mystery of the effect of prayer and meditation on our mind and soul is a daunting task. Research in neuroscience has shown that meditation and prayer have beneficial effects on the frontal cortex and limbic system of the brain, bringing a sense of joy, love, and optimism. The effect of meditation on the brain is particularly important because, as Newberg and Waldman wrote, “it counteracts our biological propensity to react to dangerous situation with animosity or fear.  However, it also appears to make us more sensitive to the suffering of others.”

RELATED: Three Reasons to Greet Each Morning with Dawn Prayers

Can science find any pathway of healing through faith and prayers?  As Newberg and Waldman also wrote in their book, it has been hypothesized that our neuropeptides — the transmitters of neurons — and immune system are biological pathways that may connect mental processes, including prayer and meditation. In addition, a research study at Harvard University showed that meditation might help to prevent brain degeneration and cognitive decline. The more we meditate on the Word of God, or for a specific objective, the more the thalamus — the center of information processing — in the brain is activated and increases in size.  Spiritual practices can have an effect on neurotransmitters. “For example, a 65 percent increase in dopamine was found when individuals practice yoga nidra, a form of meditation in which a person maintains conscious awareness,” wrote Newberg and Waldman 

Researchers have found more biologically beneficial effects from meditation than from prayer.  This may be partially because there has been more research conducted with respect to the former, but it may also be due to the spiritual nature of prayer, which does not lend itself to scientific measurement. For example, scientific research has found a significant reduction in stress, anxiety, blood pressure, and suppression of the release of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, in those who regularly meditate. Researchers have also noted a boost to the immune response, positive mood states, relaxation, and more tolerance to pain. However, while meditation and prayer may have positive physical and physiological effects on the body, such changes do not explain the mystery nor define the mechanism of such effects.  

Although many research studies on the effect of prayer on healing have been favorable, some others reported negative results. This should not be surprising due to the intangible and spiritual nature of prayer, which is dependent not only on the sincerity of the individual who offers prayers but also on the wisdom of divine intervention.  From a Baha’i point of view, while prayer and meditation are important and praiseworthy, people must remain mindful that ultimately it is God’s will that determines whether a cure will be granted or not.

There is an African proverb that says, “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” So, how do you find peace of mind and heart?

In a world of distracting chaos, depressing conflict, distressing challenges, and addictive consumerism, finding inner peace can feel elusive. Yet, timeless spiritual and religious teachings offer helpful insights and comforting prayers to guide all of us on our journeys. 

Explore how the following quotes and prayers from world religions and ancient spiritual traditions can unlock a peaceful, resilient spirit and bring tranquility to both your heart and mind.

Baha’i Quotes About How to Find Peace of Mind and Heart

If you’re wondering how to find peace of mind and heart, the Baha’i writings offer helpful guidance on this subject. 

First, we can’t have a peaceful mind and heart without having a loving mind and heart. At a talk in New York in 1912, Abdu’l-Baha, one of the central figures of the Baha’i Faith, was asked, “Is peace a greater word than love?” 

Abdu’l-Baha exclaimed, “No! Love is greater than peace, for peace is founded upon love. Love is the objective point of peace, and peace is an outcome of love. Until love is attained, peace cannot be…”

When we are kindled by the fire of the love of God in our hearts and look for the loveable divine qualities in every person and created thing, we will find that we are more at peace with ourselves and everyone around us. 

In a treatise written by Abdu’l-Baha in 1875, he identified the different capabilities that an individual needs to develop to experience pleasure and peace. He explained that “the happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning, and his ability to solve difficult problems.” 

It’s important that we strengthen and develop these qualities, as they enhance our personal happiness and peace and build the resilience that we need to navigate the challenging moments in our lives.

A Buddhist Quote About the Importance of a Peaceful Mind

It’s fascinating that breadth of learning not only fosters peace but that peace of mind is also conducive to greater knowledge. 

In the Dhammapada, the Buddha states, “If a man’s thoughts are unsteady, if he does not know the true law, if his peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect.” 

When our thoughts are flighty, unsettled, and anxious, it’s difficult to focus, think deeply, and meditate on divine guidance. So, we have to clear and calm our minds to receive greater insights and understanding.

Yogic, Buddhist, and Cherokee Quotes About the Importance of a Peaceful Heart

As a yoga fan, I enjoy the peace of mind and body that yoga often brings. However, I was even more excited to learn about the spiritual teachings that ancient yogis have shared about how important a peaceful heart is for fostering harmonious relationships.

In “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,” it says, “Where the heart is full of kindness which seeks no injury to another, either in act or thought or wish, this full love creates an atmosphere of harmony, whose benign power touches with healing all who come within its influence. Peace in the heart radiates peace to other hearts, even more surely than contention breeds contention.”

Likewise, The Sutra Collection, a sacred Buddhist text, asks us to abstain from calumny and slander —also regarded as grievous sins in the Baha’i Faith — and avoid repeating what would “raise a quarrel against the people.”

A Cherokee proverb beautifully captures this spirit of compassionate silence and open-hearted communication: “O Great Spirit, help me always to speak the truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak, and to remember the peace that may be found in silence.”

Continuing in this spirit, The Sutra Collection concludes, “Thus he lives as a binder together of those who are divided, an encourager of those who are friends, a peacemaker, a lover of peace, impassioned for peace, a speaker of words that make for peace.”

A Taoist Prayer for Peace of Mind and Heart

“Lao-Tsu’s Peace Prayer” beautifully illustrates how important peaceful hearts are for creating a peaceful world. He wrote:

If there is to be peace in the world,

There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,

There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,

There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,

There must be peace in the heart.

A Baha’i Prayer for Peace of Mind and Heart

As we strive to cultivate inner peace, turning to prayer can be a powerful balm and refuge. The following Baha’i prayer offers profound words of solace and strength, imploring our Creator to renew your spirit and restore peace to your mind and heart: 

Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! 

Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquillity on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!