Editorial February 23, 1957 Issue

"EFFECTUAL INVOCATION"

John J. Selover

SPURRED on by clear proofs that prayer is more than words aimed to give a momentary feeling of exaltation, Christian Scientists are working assiduously to awaken humanity to the fact that prayer is effective in healing the sick, in saving the sinner, and in establishing a happier way of life.

Under the marginal heading "Effectual invocation" on page 15 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes: "In order to pray aright, we must enter into the closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and silence the material senses. In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God's allness."

James, writing at a time shortly after the close of Jesus' ministry, when healing by prayer was a common practice among the disciples, said (James 5 : 13—16) : "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. . . . And the prayer of faith shall the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. . . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This same query put by James, "Is any among you afflicted?" is echoing in the ears of mankind today. And the same reply is applicable, "Let him pray."

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