Article July 11, 1959 Issue

PRAYER AND PRAISE

FRANK R. S. GIFFORD

We often hear quoted the Apostle Paul's counsel (I Thess. 5:17), "Pray without ceasing." But we do not so often hear the verses which immediately precede and follow this counsel: "Rejoice evermore," and, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Prayer and praise are not synonymous terms, but this Bible passage shows how closely they are related.

The first chapter of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," written by Mary Baker Eddy, is entitled "Prayer" and explains what prayer is according to the teachings of Christian Science. Prayer includes more than a petition to God. It includes a firm faith in His ability to help us and a spiritual understanding of Him. It is through this understanding that healing is accomplished in Christian Science. Prayer to be effective must acknowledge that God is the only power, the only presence, and the source of all action. It must recognize that God sends only good. And it must include gratitude for His goodness.

The Bible shows the advantage of praising God, especially in that book known as the Psalms. Our Leader writes much about gratitude in her chapter on prayer. One such passage reads (p. 3): "If we areungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and yet return thanks to God for all blessings, we are insincere and incur the sharp censure our Master pronounces on hypocrites. In such a case, the only acceptable prayer is to put the finger on the lips and remember our blessings."

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