Article February 19, 1996 Issue

"Teach us to pray"

Cyprian Leslie Kheswa

Throughout religious history, prayer has offered an anchor to those facing adversity. Moses turned to God when the children of Israel castigated him because they lacked water at one point during their passage through the wilderness to the Promised Land. The prophet Elisha also prayed when the Shunammite woman came to him because her young son had died. The children of Israel got their water; it flowed from a rock. The Shunammite's son was raised to life again.

What power is there that can bring about results so amazing to human reason? It is the power of God, the power of divine Love. We read in Luke that "as [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples" said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples (11:1). And is Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Our Master taught his disciples one brief prayer, which we name after him the Lord's Prayer. Our Master said, 'After this manner therefore pray ye,' and then he gave that prayer which covers all human needs" (p. 16). When faithfully approached, prayer gives assurance of victory. Christ Jesus, who knew so well his sonship with God, prayed to the Father. And he healed the sick, fed a hungry multitude, even raised the dead.

In my country, where the worship of ancestors is still rife, it is believed that before they can "answer prayer," they have to be appeased by the shedding of animal blood. One may hear leading figures, even some church ministers, praying to God and ancestors at the same time as if God, Spirit, could only be reached via "familiar spirits." God is regarded as manlike and influenced by human supplication. This, however, could never be true of God, as is seen in the aforementioned examples from the lives of Moses, Elisha, and Jesus, whose prayers to Him were an outgrowth of their understanding trust in His supreme care and love for man.

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