THE PRAYER OF AFFIRMATION

HELEN OAKLEY ROCKHOLD

Many times children voice profound truths with complete simplicity. Their innate honesty enables them to see clearly the underlying truth in many situations and to state it with sincerity and clarity.

Two young girls were overheard talking after they came out of the Sunday School of a Church of Christ, Scientist. One of them had been brought up in Christian Science and accepted its teachings naturally and as a matter of fact. The other had just visited the Christian Science Sunday School for the first time.

With childlike receptivity she had glimpsed one of the basic truths of Christian Science. Turning to her friend, she said: "In our church, when we pray. we say, 'Please'; but in your church, when you pray, you say, 'Thank you.'"

To those who have considered prayer as mainly a petition or plea, it is revealing and encouraging to understand that prayer also embodies the affirmative conviction of God's allness, presence, and power. This concept of prayer is not new, for it is to be found in both the Old and the New Testament. The Shunammite woman used it many centuries ago.

In spite of all human appearances of sickness and death, this woman never for a moment ceased to love and trust God. Nothing could shake her firm conviction of His power as manifested through Elisha. She acknowledged this conviction in her statement (II Kings 4:26), "It is well." This prayer of affirmation and acknowledgment prepared the way for the healing and restoration of her son.

Whatever form our prayers may take—petition, communion, or acknowledgment—they serve to bring our thoughts into a present recognition and acceptance of the fact that God, Truth, does indeed "fill heaven and earth" (Jer. 23:24).

Some of Christ Jesus' prayers were prayers of acknowledgment and gratitude. On one occasion he stated (Mark 11:24), "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

When he came to the grave of Lazarus, Jesus did not ask God to restore Lazarus; nor did he plead to have a petition granted. Instead, he used that glorious, reassuring prayer of gratitude (John 11:41, 42): "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou nearest me always." This prayer clearly recognized God's power and raised Lazarus from death.

The first chapter of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is entitled "Prayer." This chapter is loved and cherished by many to whom it has brought deliverance and healing. Mrs. Eddy draws attention to the value of prayer that is affirmative; a positive, grateful recognition of present perfection.

In "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mrs. Eddy, an inquirer asks (p. 59), "Is it wrong to pray for the recovery of the sick?" Mrs. Eddy's answer begins with these words: "Not if we pray Scripturally, with the understanding that God has given all things to those who love Him."

God is All, the only creator, the Father-Mother of man, the one Mind. God's creation is complete, perfect, intact, spiritual. We do not need to change reality; indeed, we cannot, but we must change our concept of man and see him as he truly is: the image and likeness of God, hence Godlike.

In mathematics we do not try to work out answers to a problem according to our own way or plan. We follow the rules that have already been proved and hence are established. We know that the right answer exists, and we set about to discover it. We do not invent it. In Christian Science, we start with the allness of God and obey the First Commandment, trusting absolutely in the infallibility of God, divine Principle. We know that since God's creation is perfect, our work is to recognize this perfection and accept it.

In "Unity of Good," Mrs. Eddy refers to several outstanding healings and the method of their accomplishment. She gives as her conviction (p. 7), "That an acknowledgment of the perfection of the infinite Unseen confers a power nothing else can."

Our textbooks, the Bible and Science and Health, have taught us how to pray effectively. Let us follow this teaching. Instead of pleading with or imploring God to give us something which seems absent to us, let us be grateful and acknowledge that all good is here and now. Let us pray in Mrs. Eddy's own words (Poems, p. 37),

"Oh, Thou hast heard my prayer;
And I am blest!"

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