Third Point

There are two ways in which voluntary supplication by word is acceptable. It is either accepted exactly as desired or what is better is granted.

For example, someone asks for a son and Almighty God bestows a daughter like Mary.  One  should  not say that  his supplication  was not accepted,  but that it was accepted in a better way.

Also, sometimes a person makes supplication for his happiness in this world and it is accepted for the hereafter. One should not say that his supplication was rejected, but that it was accepted in a better form. Similarly, Almighty God is All-Wise; we seek from Him and He responds to us. But He deals with us in accordance with His wisdom.

A sick person should not cast aspersions on his doctor’s wisdom. If he asks for honey and the expert doctor gives him quinine, he should not say: “The doctor didn’t listen to me.” For the doctor listened to his sighs and moans; he heard them and responded to them. He prescribed something better than what was asked for.

Fourth Point

The best, finest, sweetest, most immediate fruit and result of supplication is this, that the person who offers it knows there is someone who listens to his voice, sends a remedy  for  his  ailment,  takes  pity  on  him,  and  whose  hand  of  power  reaches everything. He is not alone in this great hostel of the world; there is an All-Generous Being who looks after him and makes it friendly. Imagining himself in the presence of the One who can bring about all his needs and repulse all his innumerable enemies, he feels  a joy and relief;  he casts off his load,  which is as  heavy as the world,  and exclaims: “All praise be to God, the Lord and Sustainer of All the Worlds!”

Fifth Point

Supplication  is the  spirit  of  worship  and  results  from  sincere  belief.  For  the person who makes supplication shows that there is someone who rules the whole universe, saying: “He knows the least significant things about me, can bring about my farthest aims; who sees every circumstance of mine, and hears my voice. He hears the voices of all beings, and He hears my voice too. He does all these things, so I await my smallest needs from Him too. I ask Him for them!”