Article March 11, 1985 Issue

Prayer for oneself

ELEANOR OWERS SMITH

Does prayer for oneself sound self-centered? Actually, prayer is not selfish; rather it takes away the sense of mortal selfhood by leading us to realize our true identity as an idea of God, divine Mind. In this spiritual consciousness we know God's closeness. As we feel His love and tender care, our day becomes more and more a spontaneous unfolding of good.

Mrs. Eddy stresses the need to pray for oneself: "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. If this heart, humble and trustful, faithfully asks divine Love to feed it with the bread of heaven, health, holiness, it will be conformed to a fitness to receive the answer to its desire; then will flow into it the 'river of His pleasure,' the tributary of divine Love, and great growth in Christian Science will follow,—even that joy which finds one's own in another's good." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 127.

To ask, "Have I prayed for myself today?" is most important. "Do I give myself the same prayerful devotion I give a loved one, a friend, or a community situation?" Because the human mind tends to resist prayer, we need to be alert to distractions that would interfere with our making time to pray. It often requires spiritual discipline to pray diligently even for a few minutes.

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