Church Alive January 31, 2011 Issue

The following was written in support of Church Alive, a focus of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, that explores the meaning and possibilities of awakening to the spiritual basis and impact of Church. 

Prayer for the congregation

By Lois Carlson

For me, prayer for the congregation is the core reason we come to church services. It’s obvious that on Sundays we could all read the Christian Science Bible Lesson at home, and even research hymns, Scriptural citations, and benedictions (but praise the Lord for our willing Readers who do that work!). Yet, the church service gives us the opportunity to listen to the Word of God together. What brings church services alive is committing to Mary Baker Eddy’s directive that “the prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively” (Church Manual, p. 42).

It’s such a holy thing when you feel the impetus to join church and be part of the outreaching work of sharing Christian Science with the community. But to me what authenticates that outreach is the willingness to love those who are already connecting with our services. One might say that learning to love those among us is a way of preparing us to reach beyond our borders.

That said, I have to admit I find praying for the congregation one of the hardest disciplines because it’s so easy to get distracted in ways that are self-centered. The malicious influence of animal magnetism would have us preoccupied with our own needs, the demands of the day, and fussing about things in the future. But, Aha! Prayer for the congregation is a rescue from self-absorption—that indeed is a most precious gift of our commitment to church services.