Article February 21, 1925 Issue

True Prayer

SAMUEL TURNEY DOWNS

THE Apostle James stated a fact that is just as true to-day as it was in the first century, when he said, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." The history of the Hebrews shows that in their search for the truth about God and man they were also seeking a knowledge of true prayer. That the disciples who were with Jesus recognized the value of true prayer is shown in the gospel of Luke, where it is recorded that after Jesus had finished praying, one of them said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray." The disciples of to-day who call themselves Christian Scientists are repeating this desire for a knowledge of true prayer. And this is shown by their study of the Christian Science textbooks, the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy; their subscribing for and reading the Christian Science periodicals; their attendance at the church services; and their striving to live in the spirit of Christian Science. In all these ways they are studying, striving, and working to learn better how to pray.

Most of us, before gaining through Christian Science a knowledge of God as our infinite Father-Mother, either have not prayed at all, or have been among those of the Christian world who implored God to do the things we thought He should do. Even though there has been little real satisfaction, and little or no response to such praying, there is still much of it going on among those who call themselves followers of the Master. Indeed, there are still among us those who call upon God to curse others, especially those of whom the petitioners disapprove. Certainly it cannot be effectual prayer, however fervently uttered, to beseech God either to injure those of whom one disapproves or to bless some one at the expense of another.

A wonderful light was thrown on the subject of true prayer when Mrs. Eddy gave on the very first page of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the spiritually illuminated statement, "Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." Her words refer to true prayer, or to the right method of approach to God for spiritual enlightenment and development.

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