Are You Praying to Win?

EDWARD B. LYNCH

Competitive sports are often an integral part of growing up. They teach us many lessons useful not only at the moment but also on through our experience. The sport of wrestling calls on many qualities usually thought to be animal in nature, such as physical strength, stamina, courage, cunning, and a strong competitive nature. Wrestling pits two individuals against each other in direct combat where one must win and the other lose.

Young Christian Scientists sometimes find themselves confused when confronted by a choice between the objectives of a sport and the lessons learned in Sunday School. They may ask: "Is it consistent with the teaching of Christian Science to try to beat the other person and prove I am better? Can I pray to God to win? Who will benefit most if both my opponent and I are praying to win?"

Christian Science, lived and practiced, does not keep us from good, wholesome activities, such as participation in sports. Rather, we learn how to apply the truths learned in Sunday School in all our activities, thereby glorifying God and achieving the highest standard of performance. The Bible tells us that we are the children of God. As we express the qualities of God in our daily activities, those around us are often attracted to the truth we demonstrate and want to learn of man's relationship to God.

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