“How important are our prayers for the world!”

That was the thought that struck me one evening about two months ago, while I was attending my branch church’s Wednesday testimony meeting. The readings that evening were carefully chosen to address some of the world issues of the day, in particular a series of protests and revolutions that were challenging and even bringing down governments across the Arab world.

As a Christian Scientist I count myself fortunate to know about the system of divine healing that Mary Baker Eddy discovered and shared through her teaching, her writings, her Church, and her healing work. One of the key points Mrs. Eddy found was that the underlying cause of the world we live in was not physical but mental (see Science and Health, p. 114), and that through an understanding of the one divine Mind, God, discordant material thoughts can be replaced with harmonious spiritual ideas. With this concept, we see problematic situations dissolved and turned into ones governed by divine law and reflecting peace, joy, and health.

Even a small understanding of this Science puts one in a unique position to have a positive influence on world events, because by acknowledging the true spiritual facts about any situation, you help purify the world’s mental atmosphere. This can make a big difference. Even when events are taking place many miles away, this does not hinder our prayer in any way because “. . . space is no obstacle to Mind,” God (Science and Health, p. 179).

I had an experience a few years ago in which I felt my prayers contributed to the harmonious resolution of a news event. I was following a news story about a Russian submarine that found itself trapped at the bottom of the sea. The world held its breath as rescue teams were called in to save the vessel and its seamen, who we hoped had enough air to survive the experience.

Every sincere prayer to recognize more of God’s harmonious control over His creation is effective.

As I prayerfully addressed the issue, my thought naturally turned to a passage in Psalms: “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me” (139:9, 10). This reminded me that not even the depths of the ocean could be outside of God’s sustaining care. I thought about how each individual involved could be seen as a spiritual idea in divine Mind, and I was comforted to know that ideas are permanent and cannot be lost. I also saw how this same Mind would be guiding and governing the rescue operation, and the only outcome could be good. After spending some time praying in this way, I felt a sense of assurance about the situation.

Not long after, there was much rejoicing when a team from the British Navy successfully freed the submarine from the seabed, and the Russian seamen were found alive and well.

I expect there have been occasions when you too have decided to pray earnestly about a world situation, and have then seen that situation improve. You may ask yourself, how your prayers helped. No doubt many people’s prayers contributed to making a difference, but we can each be grateful for being a part of that effort, and eager to do the same again.

So, how do we pray about world events? I’ve found the simplest prayers are often the most effective. They do, however, need to focused, so it helps to be clear in our thinking about the absolute truth of any given situation. This may often include such key facts as the absolute government of God, good; the fact that there is only one Mind expressed by (and blessing) everyone involved; that there are no other powers that can influence the situation apart from God; and the indestructibility of good and God’s creation, including man.

Another important point is this: The fact that we’re praying at all is already a victory, because the carnal mind–the impersonal resistance to good described in the Bible—will oppose this desire as far as it can. It will come up with many excuses: You don’t have time; your prayers will have no effect, and even if they do, neither you nor anyone else will know it. Don’t be fooled! Every sincere prayer to recognize more of God’s harmonious control over His creation is effective, and the spiritual uplift we receive from this selfless activity is rewarding in and of itself.

So give yourself time to pray for the world. You have all the right tools, and the resulting blessings are too big to ignore. The world needs you—it needs each one of us!