Editorial July 29, 1933 Issue

Prayer

Duncan Sinclair

Mrs. Eddy has written one of the most illuminating chapters ever penned on the subject of prayer—the first chapter in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." In it she analyzes prayer, portrays its different aspects with great lucidity, shows what a powerful agency for good it is, and gives the rationals of its action. It is true to say that thousands have understood for the first time what prayer really is by reading this inspired writing. What is more, a great many have been healed of distressful conditions—disease, sin, sorrow, and the like—by applying, through prayer, the knowledge they have obtained therefrom of the nature of man and his relationship with God, perfect Mind.

On page 2 of Science and Health our Leader asks, "Are we benefited by praying?" And she replies, "Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void." So, the desire for righteousness, for that which is good and true and pure, receives the blessing of God—is, indeed, answered For the desire for good implies that the value of good and the availability of good are in some degree being recognized. In other words, the desire for righteousness means that the first step is being taken away from that which is giving the trouble, namely, belief in the presence and power of evil, toward the realization of good.

Valuable though it is, desire, or petition, for righteousness may be regarded, however, as the lowliest form of prayer. For prayer reaches its highest level of efficiency when it is the affirmation of the truth; that is, when the one who understands the truth of being affirms that truth, the while he denies reality to all unlike Truth—God, good. Yet in this effort the petitionary attitude towards God persists, even while the affirmations, the declarations, of truth are being made. Indeed, this petitionary attitude, indicative as it is of humility, is a necessity in one's approach to God, and while one is in conscious communion with Truth. By its aid scientific approach is made to the throne of grace, and the blessing of the Almighty received.

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Editorial
Spiritual Growth
July 29, 1933
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