Article June 29, 1940 Issue

"Knock, and it shall be opened unto you"

ELSE L. A. BUCHENBERGER

Christ Jesus , our Way-shower, in teaching his disciples to pray, said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." And our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, referring to the Master's words in her Message to The Mother Church for 1901, writes (p. 19), "Jesus said, 'Ask, and ye shall receive;' and if not immediately, continue to ask, and because of your often coming it shall be given unto you."

"But how often have I already asked and the answer been withheld," we may argue. For what have we asked? And how have we approached the Giver of all good? It certainly is not customary to appeal to someone for something which we know he does not possess; rather is it natural to turn towards that source whence we believe it possible to receive the needed assistance, and to shape our requests accordingly. Why at times do our prayers remain unanswered? That is, why is the answer which we have been expecting or wishing to hear withheld? God cannot give us materiality, which is the direct opposite of infinite Spirit. Neither can thought which is clothed with self-will, fear, or hate, come into His presence.

"Let thy garments be always white." Christian Science teaches the necessity of self-purification if we would withstand error's tempests; only thus can we remain immune and preserve our rightful heritage of tranquillity and joy. Hateful thoughts which would creep into our consciousness have nothing whatever to do with God's perfect idea, and therefore can in no wise blemish or affect God's flawless child. As we learn to eliminate false beliefs about ourselves and others, and begin to see the real man, the image of Love, we become conscious of the presence of good—our prayers are being answered.

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