Editorial November 2, 2015 Issue

‘As in heaven, so on earth’

David C. Kennedy

People’s thoughts about God vary widely. It used to be common to think of God as being “up there” somewhere, in what was thought of as “heaven.” Many today question that concept, believing sincerely that God is available to help them with their present needs. Still, most of us have times when difficulties seem to crowd out any feeling that we’re being cared for by God. The problems seem very real and imposing, and God seems far away.

Christianity addresses with great compassion this common human struggle. Christ Jesus’ teachings strongly encourage a practical trust in God and His help. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). In those brief words there’s a strong expectation of seeing and experiencing God’s government right here, right now.

In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy gives what she understands to be the spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer, and for the verse just quoted we find this:

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