Article April 14, 2003 Issue

Real peace is permanent

By Dorothy Maubane—Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

My daily prayers start each morning at 3:00 a.m. When I am praying for peace, these words of Jesus provide the mainspring of my day: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

One of the defenses I have cultivated against fear is spiritual understanding. And gaining this understanding has come about through my setting aside enough time for Bible study and prayer. During these times, I quietly and unhurriedly think through ideas from the Bible and from Mary Baker Eddy's writings, especially Science and Health. This study provides the solid spiritual foundation I need for my day.

My prayer takes different forms. This is one way I pray: "My dear Father, may the peace that Jesus gave to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion and during the three days before his resurrection bless me and mine, my church, my community, and the world. May all feelings of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, dread, or terror be eradicated from my thought and the thoughts of my fellow sisters and brothers in this world. May feelings of uneasiness concern, dismay, and alarm be wiped from my experience today and each day as I go about my duties. I also pray for courage against fear—to be really fearless, bold, undaunted by any circumstance that I have to face."

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