Wisdom from the Major World Relgions

On the theme of: PRAYER

Baha’i

Through meditation doors of deeper knowledge and inspiration may be opened.
Shoghi Effendi:  Directives of the Guardian, p. 47

Buddhism

Beings possessed by carnal passions, anger, or infatuation have but to
revere and remember the Bodhisattva Kuan Shih Yin and they will be set
free from their passions.
Lotus Sutra 25

Christianity

Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be silent.
Psalm 4.4

The Lord is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
Psalm 145.18

Confucianism

The Master said, "Hui is capable of occupying his whole mind for three
months on end with no thought but that of Goodness.  The others can do so,
some for a day, some even for a month, but that is all."
Analects 6.5

Hinduism

Worship me through meditation in the sanctuary of the heart.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5

Within the lotus of the heart he dwells, where the nerves meet like the
spokes of a wheel at its hub.  Meditate on him as OM.  Easily may you
cross the sea of darkness.
Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.6

Verily, from meditation arises wisdom.  Without meditation wisdom wanes.
Dhammapada 282

Concentration is unafflicted one-pointedness.
Nagarjuna, Precious Garland 437

Islam

Prayer restrains one from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of
God is the greatest thing in life, without doubt.
Qur'an 29.45

Establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches
of the night: for those things that are good remove those that are evil.
This is a word of remembrance to those who remember.
Qur'an 11.114

There is a polish for everything that becomes rusty, and the polish for
the heart is the remembrance of God.
Hadith of Tirmidhi

Jainism

Every soul is in itself absolutely omniscient and blissful. The bliss does not come from outside.
Thus Spake Lord Mahavir
(Excerpts from the sacred books of Jainism)

Lord! In praying to you I violate the restraint of tongue, in remembering
you I violate the restraint of mind, and in prostrating to you I violate
the restraint of body.  Be it as it may, I vow to ever pray to you,
remember you, and prostrate myself before you.
Jinasena, Adipurana 76.2

Judaism

"To serve the Lord your God with all your heart" [Deuteronomy 11.13].
What is a service with the heart?  It is prayer.
Midrash, Sifre Deuteronomy 41

Native African

Set me free, I entreat thee from my heart;
If I do not pray to thee with my heart,
Thou hearest me not.
If I pray to thee with my heart,
Thou knowest it and art gracious unto me.
Boran Prayer (Kenya)

Native American

Ask questions from you heart and you will be answered from the heart.
Omaha

New Thought

Prayer is a thought, a belief, a feeling, arising within the mind of the one praying.
Ernest Holmes

When prayer removes distrust and doubt and enters the field of mental certainty, it becomes faith; and the universe is built on faith.
Ernest Holmes

Sikhism

In the cool, dew-drenched night are shining the stars:
At this hour are awake the devotees, lovers of God,
meditating each day on the Name--
Their hearts meditating on the lotus feet of God,
whom they forsake not for an instant.
Adi Granth, Asa Chhant, M.5, p. 459

Taoism

Block the passages,
Shut the doors,
Let all sharpness be blunted,
All tangles untied,
All glare tempered,
All dust smoothed.
This is called mysterious levelling.
Tao Te Ching 56

Zoroastrianism

The pure whom you have found worthy for their righteousness and their good mind,
Fulfil their desire, O Wise Lord, let them attain it!
I know that words of prayer which serve a good end
Are successful before you.
Avesta, Yasna 28.10