Article April 30, 1938 Issue

Prayer in Church

LLOYD B. COATE

In the Church Manual of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts (Art. VIII, Sect. 5), Mrs. Eddy has written, "The prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively." According to Webster, "collectively" means "in a collective manner," while "exclusively" is defined as, "with the exclusion of all others." This direction of our revered Leader is an inspiration to all Christian Scientists.

In 1895 Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, ordained the Bible and the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," written by her, as the only pastor of all the churches of the Christian Science denomination. The daily study of the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly is strongly emphasized by our revered Leader. The words of Life read at our services from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, together with the prayer, hymns, solo, and instrumental music, are all intended to bring comfort and healing.

Through the Lesson-Sermons all may gain a better understanding of God and the true relation that man holds to God. The spiritual ideas of God, understood, bring healing. Each one attending Christian Science services can and should experience a blessing. Remarkable instances of healing followed Mrs. Eddy's preaching. In her work "Retrospection and Introspection" (pp. 15, 16) she tells of the healing of many cripples. They entered the church on crutches, but departed carrying them on their shoulders. She also tells of the healing of people afflicted with cancer and consumption. At every service in all Christian Science churches healing in some degree is taking place. Members cannot expect to witness the proofs of healing that followed the preaching of our revered Leader, if they go to church with their minds deliberately filled with envy, jealousy, ill-will, resentment, malice, and hate. Divine Love reflected brings healing, and this reflection is true prayer.

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