Dear Baha'i Friend,
I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
dated August 31st with its most interesting enclosures, all of which he
has carefully read and considered. It is with deep gratification that he
follows the progress and extension of the work of your N.S.A., and he
hopes and prays that through the confirmations of the Almighty it will
serve to give an increasing impetus to the progress of the Faith in your
land.
The Guardian has read with particular interest the minutes of the meetings
of your N.S.A. He hopes to receive them regularly, and thus to be in close
and constant touch with your national activities.
In regard to your question as to whether it is permissible to substitute
the plural pronoun for the singular in prayers worded in the singular, the
Guardian would strongly urge your N.S.A. to inform the friends to strictly
adhere to the text of the Holy Writings, and not to deviate even a
hair-breadth from what has been revealed by the Holy Pen. Besides, it
should be noted that congregational prayer has been discouraged by
Baha'u'llah, and that it is allowed only in the case of the prayer for the
dead.
Concerning the Healing Prayer, the Guardian wishes me to inform you that
there is no special ruling for its recital. The believer is free to recite
it as many times and in the way he wishes. There are also no obligatory
prayers for the Fast. But there are some specific ones revealed by
Baha'u'llah for that purpose.
As to the instructions given in the little black covered Prayer Book, they
are by no means complete and are only tentative. When the Book of Aqdas is
published, the believers will have then full and authoritative
prescriptions about the form of prayer, and other instructions and rulings
of a spiritual character.
With loving greetings to you and to the members of the N.S.A.,
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani.
[From the Guardian:]
Dearly beloved co-worker:
My constant prayers for the extension of the activities in which you and
your dear fellow-labourers are so stenuously engaged will be offered on
your behalf that the splendid era which you have inaugurated may redound
to the glory and honour of the Most Great Name. I am truly proud of the
manner in which my loved friends in Australia and New-Zealand have arisen
to discharge their sacred and pressing responsibilities. Great triumphs, I
feel convinced, are in store for them if they persevere in their mighty
task. May the Almighty bless their high endeavours and enable them to
achieve His purpose.
Your true brother,
Shoghi.