Editorial August 14, 1954 Issue

THE IMPELLING POWER OF PRAYER

Helen Wood Bauman

No power can compare with the might of prayer. But prayer needs to be understood if its full effectiveness is to be realized. It needs to be comprehended as inspired by God Himself, as evidence of Truth's ability to reach men and stir their hearts to spiritual desire and understanding.

One who considers prayer in terms of God's impelling power to waken mankind to His eternal presence is certain to find his prayers answered. This recognition made the prayers of Christ Jesus successful. He said, referring to his healing ability (John 14: 10), "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." And Paul, whose prayers were answered—sometimes in startling ways—spoke of God as "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. 3:20).

There were no negative, counteracting reservations in the prayers of these mighty advocates of prayer. They did not corrupt their communion with their heavenly Father by permitting doubt and fear to enter thought. They knew that answered prayer is proof of God's will done, and by the reflected power of their righteous lives, their obedience, and their consistently positive attitude they brought their prayers to bear upon thoughts and conditions which were not in accord with the divine will. To them the will of God was the governing law of the universe, and they proved that whatever opposes divine law is without authority and without ability to prolong its preposterous claims to existence.

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