If one friend feels love for another, he will wish to say
so. Though he knows that the friend is aware that he loves him, he will still
wish to say so.... God knows the wishes of all hearts. But the impulse to
prayer is a natural one, springing from man's love to God.
Prayer need not be in words, but rather in thought and
attitude. But if this love and this desire are lacking, it is useless to try to
force them. Words without love mean nothing. If a person talks to you as an
unpleasant duty, with no love or pleasure in his meeting with you, do you wish
to converse with him? (Report of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's words as quoted in J. E.
Esslemont, "Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era; The Compilation of Compilations,
Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)
