Article June 28, 1930 Issue

Effectual Prayer

JULIA SALOME KINNEY

Few subjects are of greater importance to human welfare than is the subject of prayer. Although so much has been written upon this subject, many are still asking, Why do not my prayers avail? First of all, it should be conceded that if one prays ineffectually the fault lies, not with God, but with the nature of the prayer. Everyone should understand the power of prayer and be able to utilize this power, not merely for his own benefit, but for the benefit of all mankind as well; and Christian Science is enabling its adherents to do this.

To understand the true nature of prayer one must understand God as divine Principle or infinite Mind, whose creation consists of perfect, divine ideas. The legitimate purpose of prayer is to bring human consciousness into accord with the perfect ideas of God, and thus dispel or displace the false human concepts of fear, lack, sorrow, separation, disease, sin, and death. In order to pray effectually one must continually cultivate an understanding of God and His good creation, thereby losing faith in or fear of evil. In this connection, on page 3 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy asks, "Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem?" Continuing, she writes, "The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution."

In mathematics it is generally understood that there are exact rules governing the relation of numbers, and that an understanding of these rules gives the ability to solve mathematical problems. The teachings of Christian Science reveal the fact that there is an exact law of God which never operates to cause discord, but which ever operates to cause harmony. Prayer which is based on an apprehension and application of this law brings a right solution to every problem of human existence. The one way in which God aids mankind is by means of His right ideas operating through divine law. God gives man ideas of honesty, justice, mercy, kindness, health, peace, and so on, with which to counteract every wrong concept—all evil; but these right ideas must be utilized, entertained in thought and put into active operation in every word and act. By this method anyone can prove the availability of prayer to meet every need.

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