Editorial October 11, 1952 Issue

FOR WHAT ARE WE YEARNING?

Helen Wood Bauman

"If we are not secretly yearning and openly striving for the accomplishment of all we ask, our prayers are 'vain repetitions,' such as the heathen use." These words, written by Mary Baker Eddy, are found on page 13 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." They describe the spirit of true prayer, which our Leader knew would gain God's blessing. Christian Science brings vitality and conviction to prayer, lifting it above the fruitlessness of "vain repetitions," as its countless healings attest. It is teaching its students the power of secret yearning for spiritual truth, the might of desire that is deep enough to outshine the longing for mere human satisfaction.

Too often our yearning is for material well-being, for humanly chosen associates and occupations, and for dependencies which are personal rather than divine. But are these not legitimate desires? we might ask. Surely it is legitimate to have all human needs met through the action of divine law, for this is our present highest sense of scientific demonstration. But personal life and matter are unreal, as Science teaches, and not the actual objectives of true prayer. It is when our yearning is for spiritual objectives, and the restless demand for human satisfaction is quelled, that God's law unfolds its answer swiftly and the human transformation, which is our immediate need, takes place. A complete yielding to the facts of spiritual existence removes the anguish of human yearning and leaves the field of consciousness open for the control of the divine will.

If our problem is poor eyesight, do we yearn for material sight or for spiritual discernment, which beholds the perfection of God's creation? If the problem is defective hearing, is our great desire to hear the voice of Truth rather than human sounds and to answer by obeying God's will without rebellion? If the problem is lack of supply, is our longing for matter or is it to reflect Spirit as our only substance and to express the activity of Spirit, which knows no limitation? The Psalmist, yearning for spiritual objectives, expressed his desires in terms of law (Ps.119: 174): "I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight."

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