… we ask for things which the divine wisdom does not desire
for us, and there is no answer to our prayer. His wisdom does not sanction what
we wish. We pray, "O God! Make me wealthy!" If this prayer were
universally answered, human affairs would be at a standstill. There would be
none left to work in the streets, none to till the soil, none to build, none to
run the trains. Therefore, it is evident that it would not be well for us if
all prayers were answered. The affairs of the world would be interfered with, energies
crippled and progress hindered. But whatever we ask for which is in accord with
divine wisdom, God will answer. Assuredly!
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk, 5 August
1912, Dublin, New Hampshire; The
Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His
Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
