Article August 10, 1940 Issue

Prayer—A Means of Spiritual Growth

NORA P. DARLING

In the Bible, from the time of the earliest prophets, great stress was laid upon the value of prayer. Those who have accomplished most spiritually have shown that only through consecrated prayer can this progress be maintained.

Mary Baker Eddy considered this subject of paramount importance and made it the topic of the first chapter in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," giving therein an unequaled explanation of true prayer. She not only taught the great value of prayer, but practiced it assiduously herself, for in "Miscellaneous Writings" we read (p. 133), "Three times a day, I retire to seek the divine blessing on the sick and sorrowing, with my face toward the Jerusalem of Love and Truth, in silent prayer to the Father which 'seeth in secret,' and with childlike confidence that He will reward 'openly.' In the midst of depressing care and labor I turn constantly to divine Love for guidance, and find rest." Jesus prayed continually, and with him as our Exemplar it were well that we follow his example by looking constantly to God for strength and inspiration.

What is the object of prayer? Is it necessary to go often to God to supplicate Him for the necessities of our daily existence? Do we feel that He is to be approached in prayer only when we are in need of some material thing? Surely Jesus had a view of prayer far different from this. Our Leader has referred to his prayers as "deep and conscientious protests of Truth,—of man's likeness to God and of man's unity with Truth and Love" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 12). Therefore, prayer should not be regarded as a means of using God to gain our own selfish aims and material desires, but rather of bringing our thinking into accord with His will, that we may increasingly reflect divine qualities, and thereby glorify Him.

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