Article May 26, 1945 Issue

Right Desire

ARNOLD H. EXO

"Desire is prayer," is a statement appearing on page 1 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. These words are cherished by Christian Scientists, and frequently quoted by them. But there are twenty-seven other words in the sentence of which this well-known statement is but a part— words which make it clear that our desires must be "moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." The complete sentence in the textbook reads as follows: "Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds."

Careful consideration of the entire statement makes it plain that one must be willing to trust his desires to God. This means, of course, that one is willing to let the light of Truth search his heart and uncover to him anything that is unworthy. By holding to Truth and relinquishing that which does not measure up to its standard, he will find his desires both purified and satisfied.

Whenever envy, jealousy, greed, false appetite, wishful thinking, human longing, or the like tinges our desire, certainly such a characteristic must be replaced by the truth of being before the desire can be "moulded and exalted" to receive God's blessing. In Science and Health (p. 10) Mrs. Eddy very pertinently sums up this point by citing, and then explaining still further, a passage from James (4:3). She states: "The Scriptures say: 'Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.' That which we desire and for which we ask, it is not always best for us to receive. In this case infinite Love will not grant the request."

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