The effect of a departed soul “faithful to the Cause of God” on “the world of being”

The soul that hath remained faithful to the Cause of God, and stood unwaveringly firm in His Path shall, after his ascension, be possessed of such power that all the worlds which the Almighty hath created can benefit through him. Such a soul provideth, at the bidding of the Ideal King and Divine Educator, the pure leaven that leaveneth the world of being, and furnisheth the power through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest. 

- Baha’u’llah ('Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, The Importance of Arts in Promoting the Faith)

“practices and rituals”: praying in private vs. prayers at meetings

When one is praying in private, one may do what one's heart prompts in such matters. However when prayers are read at meetings, care should be taken not to develop rigid practices and rituals. 

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 8 April 1982, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation ‘Selected Guidance concerning Devotional Gatherings’)