How is it that one can hear God speak when one prays? The Bible shares the experience of the prophet Elijah who heard “a still small voice” after he had experienced a strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire (see I Kings 19:11, 12). He recognized the “still small voice” as the voice of God, who had led him out of trouble. What made it possible for Elijah and many others in the Bible to hear it? It was apparent that they were receptive and, more importantly, were listening—listening not to physical forces, but to the Christ, the spiritual idea of God. In this receptive spiritual consciousness, there is no room for physical forces or material senses to be heard. 

On page 293 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy discusses this idea when she writes: “There is no vapid fury of mortal mind—expressed in earthquake, wind, wave, lightning, fire, bestial ferocity—and this so-called mind is self-destroyed. The manifestations of evil, which counterfeit divine justice, are called in the Scriptures, ‘The anger of the Lord.’ In reality, they show the self-destruction of error or matter and point to matter’s opposite, the strength and permanency of Spirit.” When we turn away from the material senses in prayer, we find the quietness that allows us to hear and be receptive to the “still small voice,” which brings hope, healing, and regeneration.

Science and Health amplifies this thought, saying, “The Soul-inspired patriarchs heard the voice of Truth, and talked with God as consciously as man talks with man” (p. 308).

What was true thousands of years ago is still true today. The Christ is still speaking to each one of us in consciousness. Our biggest struggle may seem to be in listening for and hearing what is spiritually real and true. But we have the God-given ability to hear God because, in truth, we are all God’s—Spirit’s—children and have the divinely inherited ability to know spiritual ideas and their eternal perfection.

Wonderful blessings, opportunities, and healings come about when we humbly and quietly listen. In the holy presence of Spirit, our spiritual sense is sustained and maintained, helping us to listen for the spiritual ideas of good. There we can mentally shut out the chaos of the world.  

As we are spiritually quiet in this way, God’s love becomes a tangible presence that rests upon us. It’s a quietness that is pure and holy—a place that material sense does not know. This is “the secret place of the most High” (Psalms 91:1). 

Silent prayer is powerful and can bring resolutions to the most challenging circumstances.

Praying alone with God allows our thoughts and desires to be uplifted, and the Christ, Truth, to enter in and guide our thought. These precious moments in prayer help us to perceive man made in God’s image and likeness, made entirely good and perfect. When we put prayer first, silently communing with God, amid all our other legitimate personal obligations and responsibilities, all our worthy activities are blessed, and we are protected. 

Silent prayer is powerful and can bring resolutions to the most challenging circumstances. In my own experience, I have had numerous healings that have all come about when I have quieted my thought to hear the tender, healing inspiration of the Christ—those angel messages that are more powerful than the seeming roar of materialism. 

When my architectural office was in the early stages of development, after a successful start it seemed that things were settling down, to the point where I was wondering if I would be able to hold on financially. The phone had stopped ringing. Things seemed to be drying up. I had recently completed construction of my new office, had hired an employee, and was beginning to raise a family in a newly completed residence of my own design that had been finished three years earlier. I had a lot of responsibilities.

One morning, my employee called and said he was ill and was not going to come in that day. My first thought was that I might not have enough work for the two of us if things didn’t change. It was doomsday thinking. 

Still wallowing in self-pity, I went home for lunch. Not having much of an appetite, I lay down on the couch and tried to not get more discouraged. As I worked to quiet my clamoring negative thoughts, that “still small voice” broke through. I heard a voice that said, “Get up and go back to the office!” as clearly as someone speaking directly to me. At first I resisted, and I argued to stay, but this message that I knew must have come from God was persistent. As soon as I recognized this resistance, I immediately felt lifted by an assurance of God’s infinite and instantly available guidance and sustaining power. I then rose and returned to the office.

Christian Science has continually supported my family and me through every physical, personal, and financial challenge.

Upon opening the door to the office, I heard the phone ringing. A pleasant gentleman, having been referred to me by a town official, hired us on the spot to redesign and renovate his existing residence. Within an hour, the phone rang again, and we were hired for another project. Then, as I was getting into my car to head home after closing the office for the day, a former client drove into the parking area, jumped out of his car, and said he was glad he had caught me. A project he had previously put on hold was going to move forward as soon as possible, and he wanted us to begin work immediately. Within three and a half hours, everything had completely turned around in ways I could never have imagined. It was clear to me that once I had quieted my thought in prayer in the midst of mental “wind, earthquake, and fire,” I had heard the “still small voice” speaking to me with the power of Truth that brings healing. 

That experience took place thirty years ago, and my architectural practice has continued to flourish. This is only one of countless blessings that have been part of my experience. I expect God’s goodness to continue to meet all my needs and those of my family. Indeed, Christian Science has continually supported my family and me through every physical, personal, and financial circumstance.

These experiences have proven to me that quiet moments can be filled with active acknowledgements of God’s care. This embracing prayer can dissolve impositions that might weigh heavily on one’s thought. Quiet prayer supports inspiration and brings the warmth and safety of spiritual vitality and peace. Isn’t that the healing activity of the Christ? That is real and substantial. It is not artificial.

Today, I continue to be encouraged by these words from Science and Health: “The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress” (p. 506).