Article March 30, 1929 Issue

Daily Prayer for All Mankind

ROBERT S. VAN ATTA

Of the many inspiring examples to be found in the life of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, none could be more inspiring than the one revealed in the following lines from "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 220): "Each day I pray for the pacification of all national difficulties, for the brotherhood of man, for the end of idolatry and infidelity, and for the growth and establishment of Christian religion—Christ's Christianity. I also have faith that my prayer availeth, and that He who is overturning will overturn until He whose right it is shall reign." Truly an inspired utterance, a rebuke to doubting trust and drooping faith, and a stirring call to high and noble achievement in which even the most lowly may have part, opening up vistas of vast possibilities for humane and healing service to the human race!

When one stops to consider the apparent power and stubbornness of the world's false beliefs, the well-nigh endless complexities of national difficulties, the number and tenacity of those forces which seek to destroy the brotherhood of man, the seemingly strong intrenchment in the hearts of mortals of idolatry and infidelity, and the gigantic struggles of many noble men and women through the ages who have labored "for the growth and establishment of Christian religion,"—when one considers all these things on the one hand, and then turns to the picture, on the other hand, of our Leader praying each day for the help and healing of this vast multitude, the simple majesty of her statement, "I also have faith that my prayer availeth," is impressed upon one with astounding force. Surely, here is the faith that removes mountains!

Christian Scientists endeavor to follow their Leader; and so it is their privilege to follow her example in praying daily for all mankind. Mrs. Eddy evidently considered such prayer one of our important activities, for she has included in the "Daily Prayer," which, she says, it "shall be the duty of every member of The Mother Church to pray each day," these words (Manual, p. 41): "May Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!" Paul, the great Apostle to the Gentiles, whose vigorous ministry covered the greater part of what was then the civilized world, gives us this same wide vision of the scope and power of prayer; for we find him exhorting Timothy that, "first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty," adding, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

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