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Eye on the World: worldwide prayer for the global economy
It’s been more than four years since the financial panic in the US spread to the rest of the world and triggered the 2008-2012 global recession and the European debt crisis. Many countries are recovering, but the pace of job creation is slow in most areas, and in Europe worries about government debt levels proceed apace. This week the International Monetary Fund said that in spite of progress over the past several years, the worldwide economic recovery is still “at risk,” and economies in the Eurozone are in a “precarious” position. Euro countries, for their part, are struggling mightily to save their most vulnerable members – Greece and Spain – from bankruptcy.
It can be hard to know even how to think about the global economy, since it’s such a vast, interconnected entity – and economic problems often seem similarly far-reaching and intractable. But prayer reveals solutions that bless everyone, and that aren’t limited to corporate boardrooms or government offices.
“Abundance and global economy” gets straight to the heart of the matter with a spiritual perspective: “The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor—and to everyone—because God blesses everyone infinitely, from those who have just lost a home to those holding on tight through market swings as they save for retirement.” The author goes on to explain that God, divine Love itself, constantly communicates the ideas that we need to express wisdom, intelligence, and love – and as we do this, we can expect to see our needs met and the establishment of strong and fair economies worldwide.
“Rebuild the world economy,” written shortly after the global financial crisis by an international banker who later became the Treasurer of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, extends this line of reasoning. The author notes that what we most need to rebuild is our understanding of, and confidence in, an unshakeable spiritual source of sustenance and guidance. As we understand this foundation, we’ll be able to perceive lasting solutions to financial and economic problems that present themselves to us and to others.
Of course, economics is not a new field. You might be interested to read how Christian Scientists were thinking about the economy back in 1912 – long before the Great Depression occurred. Annie M. Knott, one of Mary Baker Eddy’s students and a longtime Associate Editor of the Christian Science magazines, wrote an article simply titled “Economy” which states, “Economy is not confined to the use of money but includes the right use of one's time and energies, also of one's thinking powers.” As we pray to wisely meet economic challenges today, let’s remember that we, too, can be on the lookout for ways to meet the needs of others, reflecting God’s infinite supply.