When Alvaro Colom takes office this month, he will be the first president of Guatemala to have won an election primarily through support from the rural population, including the 26 different Mayan groups that constitute 55 percent of the country's population.

Colom, an industrial engineer, who is also one of the few non-Indians to be trained in the rites of Mayan shamans, sees the spiritual and cultural diversity of his country as an asset. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, he said: "We need to learn to live together .... People see the existence of so many cultures in our country as a threat. But it's a resource and source of strength." These are hopeful words as he prepares to lead Guatemala to greater peace and social equality.

Guatemala's story — the struggle and persistence of its people — is one I've been watching for several years. Guatemala is a deeply troubled country in which even running for office can be deadly. In last year's first round of voting, at least 50 political workers and candidates were killed. So, few would deny that Colom will face obstacles in his new office. Despite past efforts at economic progress, according to the US Department of State, 80 percent of the population of Guatemala lives in poverty. Violent crime persists, especially in the cities. Many people blame greed and mismanagement in high office for the turbulence. And the hard-fought presidential campaign has left some skeptical about the country's future. For others, the new president brings hope that transformation is possible even in a country struggling with drug rings, corruption, and extreme poverty.

At the same time, many — including outside observers — are asking, "Is hope enough?" In my prayers for the world over the years, I've often wondered about this question myself. Recently, I thought about some counsel Mary Baker Eddy offered in her textbook on prayer, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. She wrote, "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God, — a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love" (p.1).

I've prayed to see healing in other countries struggling with poverty, but after sincerely reflecting on her counsel in relation to my prayers for Guatemala, I recognized for the first time the importance of addressing sin with hope, spiritual understanding, and love.

While sin isn't very popular subject these days, when I speak of sin in the context of Guatemala's progress, I'm thinking of its history of atrocities, revenge, violence, oppression, and highlevel corruption. These aspects of the country tend to paralyze efforts for reform by keeping people's thoughts fixated on the past. This doesn't mean one should hide or ignore sin, but it's important not to let past events destroy hope for the future. Hope opens people's eyes to present good, honest officials, inspired ideas. It invigorates and encourages a healthy society. And it's supported by prayer that recognizes leaders and citizens as spiritual, children of a loving and bountiful God.

Some time ago, I spoke with a group of young college graduates from Guatemala. One person commented on the crime in his neighborhood, and his smile disappeared as a flood of dark memories poured out of his mouth. Just as the conversation seemed about to become irreversibly grim, another person chimed in, suggesting they keep their eyes on progressive steps and solutions. This individual gave several examples, and the conversation moved in a more positive direction. That meeting gave me insights into how important hope is in any efforts for transformation.

This isn't the first time people have turned to hope as a guide to the future of Guatemala—and hope hasn't always produced lasting change. Perhaps that's why I feel more compelled in my prayers to see which beliefs about the human conditions in that country seem to be standing in the way of its spiritual progress.

Part of spiritual progress is witnessing perfection, even when human conditions don't seem to support that view. Jesus modeled this view in his life. Undismayed by outward conditions, he saw God—whom we can see as divine Love—as the only authority. Crime, greed, and demand for personal power were all evident in many of the people Jesus interacted with, but he was able to heal them because he saw his life—and theirs—as actually controlled by infinite Love. Jesus is reported as saying, "Verity, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12).

Praying for the progress of humanity is one of the greatest works we can do. I've learned that one definition of oppress is "to burden spiritually or mentally." But God is not oppressive and can never be oppressive. Therefore, God's creation can't be oppressed. This becomes easier to understand when one thinks of God's creation as being made to blossom, progress, and express intelligence every day—not just in a quest for the human necessities, but also for evidence of beauty, joy, and happiness alone.

Often progress is impeded because people's thoughts are clouded by the belief that their existence is dependent on others. In reality, the divine Mind supplies fruitful ideas to all, and these in turn supply our daily needs. A right understanding of God as the only Mind invigorates thought and encourages progress toward good. It reveals the present evidence of God's love.

Finally, unselfed love, which doesn't rest on a personal view of how things "should" work out, gives prayer the focus and inspiration to support results that God directs. This willingness to give up outlining outcomes represents the purest quality of love for others because it demands spiritual results, yet waits on God. I love to start my prayers for humanity at large with gratitude that the seeds for progress already exist in the hearts of all individuals.

Intelligence, resourcefulness, insight, foresight, wisdom, honesty, strength, and integrity are inherent in all people. As children of the one blessed Creator, each of us has those gifts from God in abundance. As friends of Guatemala, we can patiently and hopefully support and applaud each step of progress. css

Having taught Spanish and migrant education and also worked as a community organizer for farm workers' rights, Shelly Richardson has had an interest in Central and South America for twenty years. This past summer she and her family spent six weeks living in a village in Guatemala. Currently, she is a Christian Science practitioner in Eugene, Oregon.