The Heart of Prayer

EMILY SHANKLIN ALLAN

One of the many blessings that Christian Science has brought into the lives of many is a vital understanding of prayer. Before new light was thrown on this important subject, prayer was apt to be a mere matter of form, a routine of daily religious duty.

Prayer was often addressed to an unknown God, who might send evil as well as good. Therefore, we sometimes pleaded for mercy at the throne of what we believed to be a far-away or changeable Deity, with little faith that we should receive an answer that would meet our needs. Christian Science has led us back to the Master's concept of prayer. It is teaching us that God's love is being continually poured out upon all, and that our prayer should be that we may be receptive to this outpouring.

The disciple's request to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray," brought forth an answer that showed very plainly that, in order to be availing, prayer must come from the heart. In his answer, Jesus first told his disciples what they should not do: they should not pray as the hypocrites do, to "be seen of men;" they should not use "vain repetitions." He told them what they should do: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." It is evident that this view of prayer held by Jesus completely destroys the old notion that the responsibility for unanswered prayer can possibly be charged to God. As Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 15): "To enter into the heart of prayer, the door of the erring senses must be closed. Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error."

The first two words of the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father," reveal our relationship to God, and should naturally assure His children that good alone comes from the all-loving Father. How little many of us have understood this tender relationship may be indicated by the fact that the fourth phrase of this prayer, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," still means to many a desperate effort to resign themselves to the ills of life. And oftentimes the worthiness or unworthiness of the would-be recipient to receive what he prays for is entirely overlooked.

While reviewing her attitude before knowing of Christian Science, one student was astonished to find that she did not remember ever to have used the phrase "Thy will be done" with any understanding that God's will brought only good to His children. Her prayer rather indicated a willingness to be resigned to the will of God, who, she believed, sent pain and misery for some wise purpose. As she had never known freedom from suffering, it did not occur to her that she might pray for and expect health and happiness. To be a cheerful invalid was her highest hope of attainment in this world. This student's healing came almost immediately when she was told by a Christian Scientist that God is Love, and that He could not, therefore, send evil and disease upon His own creation. From that day her outlook on life was completely changed; and through this true concept of God as Love only she found an ever open path to health, joy, and usefulness.

Is it any wonder that our Leader says (Science and Health, p. 10), "There is some misapprehension of the source and means of all goodness and blessedness, or we should certainly receive that for which we ask"? When we become thoroughly convinced that, since He is omnipresent and omnipotent Love, God's will for His children is always good, it is easy to carry this conviction to others. It is equally necessary for us to understand and prove that unenlightened human will is not good, and that we should have no desire to hold on to it if we would presuade others to turn away from this hard taskmaster.

The question is frequently asked, How can I tell when I am desirous of following my own way? We could apply several tests. One might be, Are we willing to follow one of two ways without throwing any weight of preference on either side? Another test might be, Do we feel fearful and strained when considering a problem? If so, might not this indicate that we are afraid that our human plans may be interfered with? A state of mental unrest may often be attributed to the desire to have our own way, while willingness to mold our will to the divine brings a peace that cannot be disturbed.

Our beloved Leader says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 208): "Mortals have only to submit to the law of God, come into sympathy with it, and to let His will be done. This unbroken motion of the law of divine Love gives, to the weary and heavy-laden, rest."

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