PERSPECTIVE ON THE NEWS August 4, 1980 Issue

A new view of prayer for world government

This column isn't just for the religious—those committed to prayer for enlightened government. "Perspective on the News" is also meant for people who at times find themselves spiritual doubters.

The Apostle Paul said: "God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."^{Cor. 12:28;} We may see ourselves only as "helps," or as The New English Bible puts it, "those who have . . . ability to help others . . ."; but we all may have at least some intuitive feeling about the reality of moral and ethical qualities and their efficacy on the world scene. The question is, How can these qualities more strongly affect world affairs for the better?

Love is certainly evident throughout the world—whether in care for refugees, or in maternal and paternal affection. And honesty clearly exists. It's not always apparent, but occasionally we do notice a world figure who strikes us as the personification of integrity. Humane qualities, however, don't exist in and of themselves. Whatever is good in them bears witness to a divine reality or Principle that is universally available, though unseen by the physical senses.

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