Article January 2, 1909 Issue

PRAYER UNDERSTOOD

HILDA P. HELLGREN.

Words cannot express my great gratitude for the knowledge I have gained in Christian Science of how to pray aright. I had been brought up in a God-fearing and prayerful home, and believed that I prayed aright, although many of my prayers were unanswered; but when I came into Christian Science I soon began to see that I had been asking "amiss." By earnest and diligent study of our priceless text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, I have been able to unlock the doors of the dark dungeon of material misconceptions, and thus to enter into the bright chambers of man's divine inheritance by gaining the understanding of how to pray aright, not, as of yore, by habitually asking for this and for that. No! The Christian Science prayer involves ardent desires, great hopes, great ventures of faith, and a hungering and thirsting for good. It is a recognition of answers already given, and of undeniable victories. By it we obtain promises, solve perplexities, and win conquests.

In striving to reach the true sense of prayer we may experience depression and exaltation, struggle and resolve, but with it we have received forgiveness; for it has eradicated sin and uprooted evil habits. The Christian Science prayer brings sanctified convictions and purified affections; it marks thought indelibly with a desire for purity, goodness, and holiness, and is acceptable to our Father-Mother God. This understanding of man's divine origin, and his oneness with God, good, will mold circumstances so that, at the right time, we shall know how to pray aright. If to the wanderer the way to such molding seems long and the road steep, it is because it leads over the boulders of sense and self, and we must clear our own path through the rocks of mortal sense, ever remembering that divine Love awaits us at the summit, where we shall rest above the storms of mortal belief. The poet's words point us to this shrine:—

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
CONSTANCY
January 2, 1909
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit