Editorial September 18, 1937 Issue

"Effectual fervent prayer"

Duncan Sinclair

Prayer is the means whereby we receive divine aid. Christian Scientists pray, their prayers varying from humble petition to God to affirmation and demonstration of spiritual truth. And always, supporting their approach to Deity, is faith in Him and an understanding of Him. Further, for prayer to be effectual there must be unselfishness—unselfed love—on their part. This is how Mrs. Eddy begins the first chapter of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love."

From a study of the Gospels of the New Testament we learn that Jesus prayed; that, indeed, he spent much time in communion with God. And knowing the value of prayer he urged his followers to pray, even as he himself prayed, giving them as a model of priceless value the prayer which is known to Christendom as the Lord's Prayer.

One of the effects produced by the Master's communion with God was the strengthening of his faith in the power of God, and also the strengthening of his courage for the carrying out of his mission. Because of the truth to which he gave utterance, his demonstration of it, and his spirituality, he encountered the bitter opposition of materiality—the aggressive mental suggestions of evil; but he was able to meet and master every one of them through prayer. His fervent desire to know and do the will of the Father; his affirmations of Truth in the stillness of the solitudes to which he resorted; his constant doing of good; his continual pouring forth of love—these endowed him with the spiritual power whereby he healed all manner of sickness and sin, supplied all human needs, and overcame the world—all the suggestions of material sense.

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