Article September 1, 1986 Issue

Prayer that blesses us— and others

MARJORIE MILLER ASTON

Do you ever wonder how your prayer can help others? Do you say, "I can declare the truth of God's power and man's perfection for myself, but can I expect to heal the world?" An experience I had has helped me see how even prayer for oneself blesses others.

At that time my home was in Hawaii. This was before air travel was easily available, and in order to attend the annual meeting of my Christian Science Students Association in California I had to take a five-day ocean voyage. Usually I traveled with a member of my family, but this time I was to go alone. On the way to the mainland I had a room to myself, but I knew this would not occur on the return trip, since defense workers were traveling to Hawaii in large numbers and every ship was filled to capacity. One of the statements from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy that my teacher quoted in his association address seemed particularly helpful to me as I prepared for my return trip. He reminded us that Mrs. Eddy writes, "God is infinite, therefore ever present, and there is no other power nor presence." Science and Health, p. 471. I reasoned that since this is true in every situation, I didn't need to fear an incompatible traveling companion on my return trip, for I would always be in the presence of God.

When I entered the stateroom assigned to me, I saw luggage other than mine; so I knew there would be another passenger in the room, but no one came in until very late that night. When the door opened, the strong odor of liquor filled the room. My first thought was, "Oh, no, not after all the praying I've done." I quickly replaced that response with the truth, "The only presence is the presence of God." With this I fell asleep.

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