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Valuing our prayer
Take a stand against the mental distractions that divert you from effective prayer.
After a busy and happy Sunday, I sat down to spend some of the evening in prayer. I had in my lap the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, intending to study a few paragraphs to encourage my prayer. After reading a couple of lines, I thought of the guest who had visited our home earlier in the day. I read another sentence and then considered a couple of household projects I was planning. I prayed for a moment, affirming the goodness and presence of God, then thought for a while about the puppy we had recently added to our family.
After going along in this manner for several minutes, I was rebuked by an arresting thought. It seemed to come from God, and it abruptly changed my approach to prayer. The idea was this: the value of truth is supreme.
I saw how I had been dabbling in the truth of God and man instead of really valuing it. I saw how ungenuine and almost disrespectful such halfhearted prayer is. Certainly there was no crime in thinking about the things that had crossed my mind, but it wasn't appropriate in the sacred sanctuary of prayer. The glory of God's goodness and unceasing presence demanded full attention. So I stopped the unfocused prayer and started honoring divine Truth by praying conscientiously.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
July 12, 1993 issue
View Issue-
From the Editors
The Editors
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A conversation with the pastor
Robert R. Mullen, Jr.
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The Lesson-Sermon: day-to-day protection
Ellen Crista da Silva
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Letting God help us
Robert R. MacKusick
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Valuing our prayer
Thomas C. Asher
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"Taking Church wherever I go"
a member of The Mother Church
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The circulation of good
William E. Moody
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Visiting with the pastor
Barbara M. Vining
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It was the holiday season, and of course my husband and...
Cynthia Clement Sampsell
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The image of an anthropomorphic God, who would punish...
Louise Rickert