Editorial March 19, 1938 Issue

"Pray without ceasing"

Violet Ker Seymer

In "No and Yes" Mrs. Eddy asks (pp. 39, 40), "What but silent prayer can meet the demand, 'Pray without ceasing'?" The prayer of pure desire for Godlikeness—and this, of course, includes health—is spiritually inspired, strengthened, and blessed through our study and application of the teachings of Christian Science. Prayer in Science shows us how to "put off the old man with his deeds" and how to "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." In pure prayer there is no element of fear, fluctuation, or doubt.

One should cherish even the faintest aspiration after righteousness, for it is a sign that we are beginning to be aware of our unity with God, good. Every pure desire originates in divine Mind, and so-called mortal mind cannot frustrate it. Genuine aspiration is destined to merge into inspiration, and finally into full realization of the spiritual perfection for which we at present seem to be reaching out. Actually, however, it is ours now, for God, Spirit, is perfectly reflected throughout the one spiritual creation. Christ, Truth, unfolds to every obedient watcher the perfection of man's being. Unhalting spiritual progress is assured as we learn always to reflect God, invariable, indivisible good.

What, then, would claim to suspend our righteous prayer? It is mortal mind, the denier of Truth. Spiritual understanding rejects the darkening, discouraging suggestion that one cannot help being half-hearted, fearful, faithless, faltering, and that one's trust and perseverance are unequal to the tests confronting them. There are no erroneous traits, aggressive or passive, in divine Mind or in the real man. The unverifiable arguments of mortal mind do not deceive one who is acquiring the art of true praying, true witnessing, "without ceasing." The prayer of understanding calls for fidelity and supplies it. This prayer is corrective and redemptive; it pierces the fog of material sense and is a perpetual spur to progress. Into "the secret place of the most High," the sanctuary of spiritual consciousness, our true consciousness, no fear or hurtful belief has ever penetrated. There is always more to learn of the infinitude of good, and this learning is praying, that is, communing with the reality of being.

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