SENTINEL WATCH August 9, 2010 Issue

PRAYER-A RESPONSE TO 24/7 NEWS

BARBARA VINING

THE OIL SPILL in the Gulf of Mexico has already profoundly affected the lives of millions of people, the earth's environment, and a multitude of precious creatures—and its effects promise to be felt for many years to come. With today's 24/7 news cycle and its relentless worldwide transmission through the Internet, this disaster and other global troubles weigh heavily on the minds of people everywhere.

The question I've been asking myself is, How can I respond to news reports in ways that will contribute to finding solutions?

In considering this, a statement by the Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, gave me plenty to think about. She said, "It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 390). What this says to me is that by increasing my own understanding of God in relation to the news that reaches me, I can contribute to the restoration of harmony—and that anyone can do this. That's huge! And it's doable. So how does one begin?