Article February 1, 1936 Issue

Scientific Letting

GLENN E. DOUGLAS

In the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sect. 4) Mrs. Eddy has given us a short prayer under the heading "Daily Prayer." The vital importance of this prayer to the individual student of Christian Science and to the entire world is indicated by the emphatic statement, "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to pray each day." Then follows the prayer, "'Thy kingdom come;' let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!" "Let" is a small word, but as used here by our Leader it is highly significant. Sincerely uttered, the "Daily Prayer" is a heartfelt desire to surrender self-will and to let God govern one's thoughts and actions, together with a desire that the truth may reach all mankind, and enrich their affections.

The human mind often finds it difficult to "let" God govern. Though it is probably willing to give up the errors which are discordant, it is generally unwilling to surrender those which seem pleasant to false material sense. Again, this so-called mind may be willing that God should govern, provided He conform to one's preconceived notions. But before one is able to receive the kingdom of heaven, "the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love," he must be willing to surrender human outlining, self-will, self-love, and self-justification, as well as the gross elements of materiality. He must also be willing and able to pray with true humility, "Not my will, but thine, be done."

Many have felt the comfort of a childlike trust in God, based upon blind faith. But scientifically to let God govern, requires more than a passive faith. It requires an active, positive, enlightened faith based upon practical understanding of the simple fundamentals of Christian Science.

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