Article July 2, 1932 Issue

The Heart of Prayer

EMILY SHANKLIN ALLAN

One of the many blessings that Christian Science has brought into the lives of many is a vital understanding of prayer. Before new light was thrown on this important subject, prayer was apt to be a mere matter of form, a routine of daily religious duty.

Prayer was often addressed to an unknown God, who might send evil as well as good. Therefore, we sometimes pleaded for mercy at the throne of what we believed to be a far-away or changeable Deity, with little faith that we should receive an answer that would meet our needs. Christian Science has led us back to the Master's concept of prayer. It is teaching us that God's love is being continually poured out upon all, and that our prayer should be that we may be receptive to this outpouring.

The disciple's request to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray," brought forth an answer that showed very plainly that, in order to be availing, prayer must come from the heart. In his answer, Jesus first told his disciples what they should not do: they should not pray as the hypocrites do, to "be seen of men;" they should not use "vain repetitions." He told them what they should do: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." It is evident that this view of prayer held by Jesus completely destroys the old notion that the responsibility for unanswered prayer can possibly be charged to God. As Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 15): "To enter into the heart of prayer, the door of the erring senses must be closed. Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error."

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