Article January 2, 1932 ISSUE

The article "Uni Pax," in number 378 of the Berner Tagblatt,...

Meinrad Schnewlin, Committee on Publication for German-speaking Switzerland

Berner Tagblatt, Berne, Switzerland (translation)

The article "Uni Pax," in number 378 of the Berner Tagblatt, presents some very interesting aspects as to what prayer implies. As far as prayer in Christian Science is concerned, however, some explanation is necessary.

Prayer in Christian Science must coincide with the expression in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Christian Science accepts one will only as real, the "acceptable, and perfect, will of God." When we understand that the desire of this will is only good, and never evil, that it is always operative only for good, and when our prayer is directed to the acknowledgment of these facts, and to the exclusion of all that is contrary to them, then it is the prayer of the righteous which, James says, "availeth much."

On the other hand, Christian Science denounces as powerless what is called suggestion, transmission of mortal thought, physical force, or a prayer which would try to obtain by human so-called will-power that which a mortal considers good for himself or for others. Though such a prayer may be made by an individual or by whole nations, the fact remains that "one on God's side is a majority."

The first chapter in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is entitled "Prayer," and one passage reads (p. 11 ): "Prayer cannot change the unalterable Truth, nor can prayer alone give us an understanding of Truth; but prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual desire to know and do the will of God, will bring us into all Truth."

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