Article April 9, 1949 Issue

Do you know how to pray unceasingly? Christian Science shows the way

ANSWERED PRAYER

HAZEL S. BACHMANN

At a political convention some years ago the writer attended a session where the opening prayer was conducted by a Christian Scientist and consisted of silent prayer followed by the audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer. At the close of the prayer, a gentleman seated near by commented to his companion that that was the most sensible prayer he had ever heard. The spoken prayer of another person can never do for us what our own uplifted thoughts can do, because it is only by lifting our thinking to spiritual reality that our lives can be benefited by prayer.

When we understand what is meant by prayer in Christian Science, we can readily see how and why it heals. The first chapter in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, treats this subject thoroughly, and anyone who studies it will realize the importance of true prayer in daily life. Paul said (I Thess,5:17), "Pray without ceasing"; and with the understanding of prayer which Christian Science reveals, this precept becomes practical and of vital importance.

In Christian Science, prayer is more than words or periodic right thinking. Our textbook states (p.4), "The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer." Whether we are at work or play, we can pray without ceasing. Even our resting times can be spent in prayer, for prayer is right desire and communion with God. There is no doubt that the simpler part of prayer is desire. The more exacting part is working for the accomplishment of that desire. The word "striving" connotes persistence and continuous action. It requires us to bring every thought in line with Christ, the true idea of God. In spite of the evidence of the physical senses to the contrary, we must cling to the spiritual fact that health, holiness, and harmony are God-bestowed on man. If we would experience peace, joy, and dominion, we must not allow discouragement a foothold in our thinking. This false argument of mortal mind is opposed to prayerful living.

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DIVINE ADVENTURERS
April 9, 1949
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