Article February 7, 1931 Issue

How Do You Pray?

WILLIAM R. RATHVON

One of the shorter verses of the Bible consists of but three words, and while it is a direct command it has been generally regarded as difficult to obey. It occurs in I Thessalonians (5:17), and reads, "Pray without ceasing." It was written by Paul of Tarsus, a devout man, who understood human nature, and whose understanding of God was far in advance of his time. He was a man who knew how to command and how to obey. He was a worker and a thinker, who labored industriously with his hands and scientifically with his mind. He made tents for his countrymen to live in; he made rules for all men to live by. He was an observing traveler, a fearless man of many adventures, a student, and an author whose writings will endure as long as the Bible itself.

Although Paul, the apostle of Jesus, was a Jew, his missionary work was largely among the Gentiles, and it was to the friendly Thessalonians that he wrote the three words, "Pray without ceasing," that have been somewhat perplexing to many who have found them hard to reconcile with the teachings of Jesus, who said, "When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking" (Matthew 6:7). There is, however, no conflict here, for the unceasing prayer which Paul exhorted and exemplified in his daily life does not invite useless repetitions or tiresome verbiage. Its essence lies in the inclusion of such uplifting virtues as patience, humility, love, consecration, and the fervor which the Apostle James epitomizes in the well-remembered words, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).

In the chapter on Prayer in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy speaks approvingly of the part that fervor should have in our prayers, using the word "fervent" several times in that connection. Fervent praying does not depend upon a continuity of performance or a multiplicity of words. It may be but a silent longing or an instant cry. The publican's "God be merciful to me a sinner" and Peter's "Lord, save me" needed no amplification or redundance to reach the ear of omnipotence.

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