SENTINEL WATCH May 12, 2003 Issue

Watching and praying

By Bea Roegge

I once asked a group of friends what were some of the destructive thoughts they found they needed to guard against in these precarious times.

"Criticism," one cried out. Another said, "Self-condemnation." Others cited rage, irritability, self-pity, blame, obstinacy, resentment, popular food and disease theories. The words came so fast that I don't remember them all, but the picture was clear. These were people who understood Jesus' command, "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (Mark 13:37).

Watching what comes to thought, coupled with praying, gives people authority over their lives and alerts them to the needs of others, whether they be across the globe or at the next desk. Early in my study of Christian Science, I learned that being alert to the negative thoughts I was considering, and praying to be free from these thoughts, prevented illness.