Article January 18, 2010 Issue

I GAINED FINANCIAL HOPE THROUGH PRAYER

The author talks about how inspiration gained though prayer led her from economic catastrophe to a consistent source of income.

BY ELAINE JARVIS

WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE POWER OF PRAYER, I often think about its ability to cut through the fears, worry, and sense of hopelessness that try to distract me. I think of fearful distractions as belonging to one of two groups: "outside forces" or "inside voices."

The former might sound spooky, but I use that term to refer to human opinions, statistics, friendly warnings, advice, or other external suggestions. Although these often come from well-meaning friends, they can sometimes distract us from focusing on God's direction. "Inside voices," on the other hand, often begin with discouraging thoughts of "What if?" Fear is often the root of those thoughts, which play as loudly as they can and try to deprive us of joy. But neither one can hold a candle to the truth that comes with fervent prayer, with sincere desire, and with a listening ear. In the Bible this is referred to as a "still small voice" (I Kings 19:12). It's the real thing!

Growing up in one Christian denomination, I was taught that God is the source of both good and evil. But I later learned through Christian Science that God doesn't send prosperity to some of His children and misfortune to others. God is Love, and hope is an outgrowth of the understanding that God is purely good.