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Prayer knows no barriers
We had all gathered in my friend's house to pay our respects and condolences to her, in the custom of our country. She had just lost her mother. Most of us were political or religious exiles in England.
I was the only Christian there, and the only one who had learned to read English since leaving our country. The rest were Muslim. During the evening as their holy book, the Koran, was recited, a deep and respectful hush spread over the room. The recital was in Arabic, which none of us spoke. And yet, watching my friends, I noticed how deeply attentive they were. In spite of not understanding the language, they were still getting comfort from the readings.
I longed to share my prayers with them, too. I had been studying Christian Science for some years, and our family and friends had had so many healings through it. Our lives had been transformed as a result of reading in English the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. I had been longing for a translation of this book in my native language, in the hope that my fellow countrymen could benefit from it, too. But at this moment, seeing how attentive they were as they listened to their holy book recited in a foreign language, it suddenly struck me that it is Truth, not words, that communicates itself to the receptive heart, and that Truth can have no boundaries, barriers, or limitations. It was the universal and impersonal Christ that was speaking to each one of us. This realization made me see that I didn't have to say anything. I could go ahead and pray silently in the only way I knew how, and these prayers would be communicated to them in a form they could understand. So I did just that.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
December 22, 1997 issue
View Issue-
TO OUR READERS
The Editors
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Is Jesus relevant today?
Karl S. Sandberg, Jr.
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Christ, the safest mooring
Ralph N. Whistler
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Christmas promise
Linda Laird Giedl
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How to increase one's faith
M. Kiatezua Lubanzadio Luyaluka
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Empowered by divine intelligence
Elizabeth Lee Lokey
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Blessing or cursing: our choice
Ruth McCleary Truscott
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Seven decades of Christian Science healing
Michael Seek with contributions from Wilhelm Kirchhoff
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Prayer knows no barriers
Marta Greenwood
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Letting Love shine out!
Gene Baker
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Dear Sentinel
with contributions from Libby Dearing, Susan Ryf Dearing, Fred Morrison, Bonnie Morrison
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Prayer for peace during political unrest
David C. N. M. Kironji
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One man cries peace in a land of massacres
Andrea Useem
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Love—the most valuable gift
Barbara M. Vining
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"The TWO LARGEST WORDS..."
The Christian Science Board of Directors
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What a joy to be writings this!
Linda Jo Beckers
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One day my family and I went to my dad's friend's house
Stephanie Thompson with contributions from Mary Thompson
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While eating lunch with a fellow worker a year ago, I felt a pain...
Emil Richard Martey