Attitude before and while praying

The prayerful attitude is attained by two means. Just as a man who is going to deliver a lecture prepares therefor and his preparation consists of certain meditations and notations, so the preparation for the prayerful attitude is detaching one's mind from all other thoughts save the thought of God at the time of prayer and then praying when the prayerful attitude shall be attained. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdul-Baha, ‘A Heavenly Feast’; ‘Star of the West, vol. 8, no. 4, May 17, 1917)