"After this manner therefore pray ye," Christ Jesus said, and then he began, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matt. 6:9). The "Lord's Prayer," as it has since been named, brings to light so much—God's power and glory, the immediacy of His kingdom, the way God feeds us each day with His message of love and goodness, the potential of His will in our lives.

The Lord's Prayer—and any healing prayer—raises thought to a higher understanding of God, divine Spirit. Prayer that leads to understanding and grace illustrates Jesus words "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). It is the spiritual understanding of God's inspired message that helps and heals. The words may be familiar, yet the truth behind them is always new and powerful. "When ye pray, use not vain repetitions," instructed Jesus (Matt. 6:7).

Although the human mind sometimes loves sameness, it is the freshness of God's infinite creation that is truly engaging. "Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love," writes Mary Baker Eddy (Science and Health, p. 66). If "each successive stage of experience unfolds" new perspectives, then no one should be satisfied to stop with whatever he or she learned yesterday. Along with today's experience comes—without fail—the opportunity to embrace something fresh and healing, a new insight about God and His expression. Yesterday's inspiration may have certainly been wonderful, yet it really is just the foundation for what we can discover and see today. Someone once said that it doesn't matter one bit if you are on the right track if all you do is just sit there.

Here is how a friend of mine described an example of spontaneity in prayer, and the proof of healing that went along with it. "I broke my leg in an accident and the pain was intense. As I lay there, I declared in prayer that my true identity is that of a spiritual idea in God, divine Mind, not an impaired mortal. When I got home I recognized that this was a wonderful opportunity to grow.

"The following day I went to work on crutches. Some of my co-workers were afraid that I might be lame the rest of my life if I didn't have my leg set and put in a cast. After I explained that I was praying about this, they understood and were supportive. A few days later, while I was praying wholeheartedly, a statement of Paul's came to thought: 'None of these things move me' (Acts 20:24). The Apostle Paul, obviously, didn't know my need, and I couldn't see how this had any particular meaning in my case. But it suddenly dawned on me that there could be a meaning separate from Paul's intent yet applicable to me.

"I could see that none of those things—legs and bones and feet—moved the real me, God's spiritual expression. I could see that the only real movement there is, is spiritual, forward, progressive movement. 'Infinite progression is concrete being,' writes Mrs. Eddy, 'which finite mortals see and comprehend only as abstract glory' (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 82).

"It now became apparent to me that, in the past year or so, I had felt that I was standing still, not growing spiritually. But now I understood that 'infinite progression is concrete being'; nothing could ever halt my progress. Spiritual progress is a part of my very existence as God's creation, and has nothing to do with feet, legs, or bones. I put my crutches away, and walked into our kitchen amid tears of rejoicing, healed."

Spontaneity was certainly integral to this man's prayer and healing; spontaneity and freshness must be a part of every healing. The man realized that a year of feeling "spiritually flat" was not natural. And it's not natural for any of us. Since "each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love," then progression is God's decree for everyone.

Through prayer, we learn that we never have to defer our growth—and the spontaneity that forwards it—for any reason, and we become more and more willing to prove spiritual causation here and now.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever," says the Bible (Heb. 13:8). God's truth, His law of spiritual causation and harmonious being, is forever. God is infinite. Every day, for each of us, there are certainly fresh, infinite views—infinite healing views—of what divine Spirit is causing. What is your new view "of divine goodness and love" for this day?

Mark Swinney
Managing Editor

ISAIAH

Behold, I create new heavens and a
new earth: and the former shall not
be remembered, nor come into mind.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in
that which I create: for, behold, I create
Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. ...And
it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will
answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Isaiah 65:17, 18, 24