Article October 1, 1955 Issue

PRAYER

MARY WELLINGTON GALE

Christ Jesus voiced a Fundamental fact of creation when he said (John 5:19,20): "The Son can do nothing; of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth." Only the divine, infinite Being is self-created and self-sustained. Out of its boundless self-containment, this Being, which is Life and Mind and Love, maintains its spiritual creation. Of this creation, man is the highest idea by virtue of his power to conceive of all that Mind creates, thus reflecting the self-complete and self-sustaining nature of the infinite.

Although the ability to perceive the things which the Father showeth him is an innate endowment of spiritual man, it has to be attained by mankind. As Paul writes (I Cor. 2:14), "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." In order that a human being may apprehend "the things of the Spirit of God," the spiritual faculties inherent in every individual, together with the qualities which characterize the man of God's creating, must be brought to light and utilized.

To forward this achievement, we have the counsel of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, found in "Miscellaneous Writings." Here she says (p. 127): "One thing I have greatly desired, and again earnestly request, namely, that Christian Scientists, here and elsewhere, pray daily for themselves; not verbally, nor on bended knee, but mentally, meekly, and importunately. When a hungry heart petitions the divine Father-Mother God for bread, it is not given a stone,—but more grace, obedience, and love."

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