Prayer that leads to solutions

By Robert L. Eichelberger

Many physical scientists hold the view that all technical progress is the result of human endeavor, the product of mankind's superior brainpower. I don't think so. Both my own experience in the field of chemistry and my study of Christian Science tell me otherwise.

A few years ago I was working at a large engineering center, whose major project at that time was the testing of a very large power-generating component. Many technical people from a number of engineering and scientific disciplines were involved. We were organized into specialty groups—instrument engineers, materials experts, mechanical engineers, stress analysts, and so on. My part in the project was that of technical consultant in several different areas, but I had no decisionmaking responsibility.

It soon became obvious that the work wasn't going well, and successful completion by the date promised appeared doubtful. The various groups weren't getting along, and some were blaming "the other guy" for the lack of progress. Both the management and the customer were very unhappy with the situation.

Since I am accustomed to praying and to relying on God, I addressed the situation metaphysically. I thought about this statement from Science and Health: "Man is the expression of God's being" (p. 470). This unity of God and man is an indestructible relationship, and when we understand this, harmony results. That's because, as the book explains, "God's being is infinity, freedom, harmony, and boundless bliss" (p. 481).

I knew that the prayer to see God's law in operation would lead to harmony.

While I was away for several days on a business trip, I used my travel time for prayer. I wanted to apply the truth of that indestructible relationship to the present circumstances. As I did so, I had an insight about how to improve the situation, but it wasn't a solution I particularly liked.

I saw that the project needed to be reorganized, with one individual taking responsibility for the work and the experts reporting directly to him. I decided to volunteer for the job, even though I really didn't want the assignment. Before I could get to see the vice-president in charge, however, a directive was issued announcing that he had decided to cut across disciplinary liness and form a special team for this project. It would do just what I had envisioned. Appointed to head the group was a competent and energetic young man. I continued to work closely with this "Tiger Team" as a consulting expert.

The test program was completed on time and under budget, with great harmony and little interdisciplinary friction. No one at the engineering center ever knew that I had put any serious thought into reorganizing the project, much less that I had prayed about it. Nevertheless, I knew that the prayer to see God's law in operation would lead to harmony. And it did.

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