If you're looking for a place to workship, Bahá’ís here in Silver Spring, like Baha'is world-wide, worship God through prayer and meditation, by participating in devotional gatherings usually held in homes, and through active service to their communities. They individually recite one of three obligatory prayers each day as prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh. The Bahá’í Holy Writings offer much guidance on the uses of prayer and contain many prayers for various purposes and occasions. Moreover, work performed in the spirit of service is, according to the Bahá’í teachings, a form of worshipping God.
Do Bahá’ís have places of worship?
Bahá’u’lláh called for Houses of Worship of great beauty to be built eventually in every city and town where Bahá’ís reside, each to be surrounded by institutions of social service. To date, seven have been built, at least one on each continent. While their architectural styles differ, they share certain features, such as nine entrances on nine sides, and are set in magnificent gardens (nine being the highest digit symbolizes completeness or unity). These temples are places for personal prayer and meditation, as well as collective worship, where sacred scriptures are recited and sung.
The Baha'is in Silver Spring do not have a community center or House of Worship; instead we worship in intimate gatherings where everyone is welcome and fully a part of the family of humanity. Baha'i Devotional Gatherings, conducted throughout the week rather than on one particular Sabbath day, are most closely related to the experience of attending church services, though there is no clergy in the Bahá'í Faith. Because the human race has entered upon the age of its maturity, each individual is able to explore the revelation of God and to decide on the issues of life through prayer, reflection, and consultation with others. Devotional Gatherings are participatory with every member of the Silver Spring community, Baha'i and non-Baha'i alike, offering prayers from the Holy Writings of all Faiths.
Find out how to participate in Silver Spring Devotional Gatherings!
Photo of the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, courtesy of bahai.us