Article August 17, 1918 Issue

Prayer in Church

ANNA J. HUDSON SMITH

In a recent conversation with a beginner in Christian Science, as we were discussing the silent prayer in church, she said she was so happy when she learned to pray for spiritual understanding, rather than for material things. She said, "Was not that a big step?" I responded, "Yes, but do you remember what the Manual says about the silent prayer in church?" She answered, "No, I do not, although I have studied the Manual quite a good deal." We then opened the Manual, and she carefully read the by-law (Art. VIII, Sect. 5) entitled "Prayer in Church." It is as follows: "The prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively."

The dear student then took another step in her understanding of prayer. She was deeply impressed with this wonderful thought which our Leader has given us respecting those few sacred minutes in our church services, and said, "I wish I might tell this to so many. I know there must be others besides myself who have read the Manual and yet have failed to perceive the meaning of that by-law." Perhaps some of us who are quite familiar with this by-law have at times been tempted to declare the truth for ourselves or to try and help some one who seemed to be in need; but the thought of obedience must not be forgotten. Surely, our dear Leader knew what was most needed and what it would mean to us individually, as well as to the inspiration of the service, to have each and every one lifting his thought to God for the good of those assembled, rather than in prayer for his own particular needs. In an old Journal (Vol. XIII, p. 41) Mrs. Eddy says, "Make broader your bounds for blessing the people. ... Learn to forget what you should not remember, viz., self, and live for the good you do."

The writer was reminded of the communion services which she attended when the extension of The Mother Church edifice was dedicated—especially the silent prayer. The impressiveness of those few moments will never be forgotten—five thousand persons at each service, each raising his thought to God, good, endeavoring to forget self in a prayer for the congregation, "collectively and exclusively." In this day of seeming strife and turmoil, when we are all learning to reach out to help and bless the whole world, our hearts are filled with gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for this larger concept she has given us, of prayer in church, and also for the heavenly benediction that she gives us in the daily prayer (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 4), "May Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!"

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