Church Alive April 11, 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. 

Your questions about Church

Colleen Douglass, Tony Lobl

RESPONSE 1: COLLEEN DOUGLASS

I love the outward thought expressed in this question. You’re so right that the world needs our prayers today as much as ever. Thank you for your compassion. As a lifelong Christian Scientist myself, I’ve loved both the solitary and the universal aspects of prayer. While we each commune with God on an individual basis, we pray with universal truths that apply to and surely bless all humankind.

Throughout the Bible, solitary witnesses proved sufficient to reveal the Truth. For example, Elijah stood alone against the followers of Baal. Despite all their bravado, the prophet proved that power dwells with the one God. Others include Moses who led a group of grumbling Israelites to the Promised Land—to a better life than their limited perspective could imagine. Joseph guided a nation to plenty in time of famine. And of course, Christ Jesus’ prayers packed a pretty big blessing for the hungry, infirm, dying, and even dead.

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In the News–A Spiritual Perspective

Fearless prayer for North Africa and the Middle East