Weaving baskets—one prayer at a time
Let’s be ready to accept the infinite blessings that God is always giving us.
One of the questions I am asked most often is, “What is the nature of prayer in Christian Science?” I answer that my own prayers, and those of all Christian Scientists, are guided by the teachings of our Way-shower, Christ Jesus. He taught that we are not to stand on street corners just to be seen or heard offering long, public prayers. Instead, we are to enter into our mental “closet,” shut the door, and pray to our Father “in secret” (see Matthew 6:6).
Jesus gave us only one prayer, which we call the Lord’s Prayer, and he left us to discover, again and again, the deeper meaning contained in every word of that prayer.
A wonderful example of the power of prayer can be found in an account of Jesus feeding five thousand men, plus women and children. In an experience recounted in all four Gospels (see, for example, Matthew 14:14–21), we read that Jesus felt compassion for those who had come to a desert-like area to hear him speak and had brought little food. He asked his disciples to feed them. Their reply was one of disbelief, as the only food on hand was five loaves of bread and two fish. How could they possibly feed so many people? He told the disciples to bring the food to him. Looking “up to heaven,” he gave thanks, then gave the food back to them to distribute.
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