PRAYER IN DAILY LIFE

LOUISE SMITH GLANVILLE.

If there is anything in prayer, there is everything; if it is well to pray in the morning and at night, as most Christians usually do, it must be infinitely better to pray all the day, as does the true Christian Scientist. To obey the injunction, "Pray without ceasing," would be impossible if the bended knee were a necessary accompaniment of prayer, but the humble state of mind thus symbolized may be ours at all times, and the sweet consciousness of God's nearness, love, and omnipotence is an ever-present possibility. In this mental association with God lies our defense, our constant protection from all ill; and once having gained access to this holy habitation, so deeply hidden from mortal view, it becomes our highest delight to dwell there, where the worries, sins, and sickness of the world cannot reach us. There our thought remains, though mortals see us as themselves and engaged in their pursuits; we are "absent from the body" and "present with the Lord," and this is prayer.

The Christian Scientist learns that "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love" (Science and Health, p. 465). We deny beliefs about God which are contrary to this idea, for such beliefs shut us out from His presence, and we seek for a clear realization of the truth concerning God, and the perfect reflection of His nature, man. The result is seen so surely in improved external conditions that it is small wonder the student of Christian Science easily and naturally acquires the habit of ever dwelling with God.

Before he closes his eyes at night he is conscious of Love's omnipotent protection, and this sense is so deeply engrafted in thought that it is present as an undercurrent throughout his sleep, making unpleasant dreams almost unknown, and dispelling them in the rare intervals when they do occur. In the morning, before fairly awake, he turns to the Father, more glad to be again with Him than with the dearest earthly friend. He often wakes early purposely, that he may enjoy a longer period of sweet communion before taking up the day's work. Joyfully he gives thanks for the night's repose, for health, strength, and countless other gifts of ever-present good. He searches self, that he may cast out whatever is unlike Christ and make more room for holiness; seeks for more of that Mind which knows the truth about the problems which shall be presented throughout the day, and to reflect more and more of divine Love to all the world. This love goes out in strong currents to our blessed Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who has opened our hearts to God, and taught us how to pray as did the Master, "in spirit and in truth."

All will admit that the better we know our Father-Mother God, the more we love to pray, to commune with the Divine, and there need be no more convincing proof that Christian Science gives us the true knowledge of God than the very fact that the more thoroughly we understand and practise its teachings, that much does our soul (spiritual sense) go out in prayer. If a task arises requiring much physical exertion, we realize that we have access to infinite strength, that our "Father doeth the work," that of ourselves we can do nothing. When the task is completed we should feel no fatigue, but if we do, we should at our first opportunity accept Christ's loving call, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," and prove the statement made in Science and Health (p. 218), "The consciousness of Truth rests us more than hours of repose in unconsciousness."

Labor done with thought thus kept harmonious is performed quickly and well. We should see that divine consciousness attends our every effort, and when we find ourselves without it we should suspend material work, if necessary, until we are again rightly attuned. Time will not be wasted by so doing, for we shall go at the task again with renewed energy, and if its completion should be delayed, what of that? The peace of God is our most valuable possession, the one thing needful for our well-being, the only thing worth while; and we must preserve it at any cost, if anything material is worthy to be considered as cost. Working in this way, we can never become too busy to pray, and the humblest labor becomes a ladder upon which to climb nearer the great heart of love,—

The trivial round, the common task,
Would furnish all we ought to ask,—
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer God.

John Keble.

Thus seeking ever to be with God, no matter what our hands may be doing, and spiritualizing our sense of work, we shall some day demonstrate that "man is not made to till the soil" (Science and Health, p. 517); but we shall attain that complete rest only as we have perfected every line of human endeavor through knowing the truth about it in prayer.

Christian Science teaches us, as does no other religion, how to live close to God, and the joy of communing with Him is in itself a bountiful reward for our study. When we see its visible effects in lightened labor, health, and material comforts, we can only say, humbly and thankfully, as did the psalmist of old, "My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

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