Article February 26, 1938 Issue

Effectual Prayer

JOSEPHINE DEMAS

INSTANCES in which prayers were answered in a wonderful way are to be found among the outstanding, appealing stories in the Bible. The prophets' experiences were rich in beautiful demonstrations of the power of God, divine Mind, who answers the prayer of the righteous. So also were the lives of other consecrated characters in the Scriptures, whether man, woman, or child, whose fervent petitions were granted in unmistakable ways. All through the Bible, answered prayer appears as a golden experience, giving hope, courage, and strength to the seeker for Truth. And in this we find an incentive for increased reliance upon Spirit.

In his endeavor to pray effectually, the student of Christian Science finds precious instruction in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. In the chapter on Prayer the author gives us wonderful explanations of the prayer that is answered. On page 2 she refers to God as Love, as infinite Mind, and asks, "Shall we plead for more at the open fount, which is pouring forth more than we accept?" And on page 7 she speaks of "the all-hearing and all-knowing Mind, to whom each need of man is always known and by whom it will be supplied." She closes this chapter with the Lord's Prayer, accompanied by its spiritual interpretation. Many cases of healing have resulted from reading this inspired chapter, and its teachings are constantly upholding and sustaining workers in the Lord's vineyard.

An interesting story is contained in the twelfth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, which relates that, when Peter had been put into prison by Herod, "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." The efficacy of this prayer was proved by what seemed his miraculous release from his chains and his deliverance from the prison. When the damsel Rhoda, who at once recognized Peter, joyfully announced to the disciples that he whom they knew to have been put in prison and chained, was knocking for admission outside the gate, they rebuked her. But when they opened the door and saw him, it is related that "they were astonished."

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