"PRAYER...WITHOUT CEASING"

RUTH ANGELL

In the inspiring account of the deliverance of Peter, who had been imprisoned by Herod, we read these words (Acts 12:5): "Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Although the immediate situation presented many seemingly insurmountable barriers —chains on his hands, two soldiers guarding him, prison doors, and guards—all these were quickly overcome when the angel of the Lord came upon Peter and a light shone in the prison. In the account we read that the angel smote him on the side, raised him up, and bade him arise quickly. As he did so, the chains fell from his hands.

So often the question comes to us today, What can I individually do to promote peace when we seem to be surrounded by the threat of world conflict, opposing nations, warring groups within each nation, and the confusion of individuals frustrated by the belief of many minds? An unfailing answer is found in the Bible account of Peter. The unceasing prayer and instant obedience to spiritual guidance which brought about deliverance for Peter will do the same for each individual, each nation, each defender of a righteous cause, when that one listens for the voice of God and then hastens to obey.

Sometimes in our human experiences an angel thought comes to us. and the light of Truth shines all around us; but more often we sleep on. our eyes—our spiritual perception—closed to the liberating presence of God. But when we awake in the light of our true being as free sons of God, our chains fall off.

After Peter had been thoroughly awakened by the angel messenger, he followed with alacrity the instructions that came in rapid succession: to gird himself, bind on his sandals, cast his garment about him, and follow. We know so well through our study of Christian Science that divine guidance is just as available to us at this moment as it was to Peter in prison. The exact nature of this guidance will vary according to the individual problem, for in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us (p. 494), "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." Again, on page 571, we read these assuring words: "Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil. Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you."

As we are alert to God's angel messengers, we gird ourselves—arm ourselves with the truth. We bind on our sandals, place our thinking on a firm basis of spiritual understanding, and finally cast the garment of divine Love's ever-presence all about us. Then we are ready and able to walk out of the material prison experience that seems to be ours.

Through his enlightened spiritual understanding Peter felt Truth's presence all around and walked expectantly through the prison gates into the city. As he came to freedom he said (Acts 12:11). "Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod." What a glorious experience this must have been for Peter! Can we not see its parallel in the world today? The forces of evil, which would imprison and destroy. are the anti-Christ, that which opposes Truth; and though they may at times seem to have overpoweringly surrounded us, they can never destroy the defenders of righteousness, the representatives of Christ, united and alert to the power of God.

The Scriptures contain many accounts similar to that of Peter, in which the forces of evil gave way to the power of God. Both ancient and modern history record numerous occasions when, through the reliance of is leaders on spiritual guidance and strength, the defenders of a righteous cause were victorious over superior material forces. During World War II many wonderful testimonies were given, both in the Christian Science periodicals and at Wednesday testimony meetings. These verified the protective power of God to free individuals and groups of individuals from the aggression and oppression of enemy forces. The Christ, Truth, is timeless; its power is irresistible. On page 228 of Science and Health we find this unequivocal statement: "There is no power apart from God. Omnipotence has all-power, and to acknowledge any other power is to dishonor God."

Surely, then, we can promote peace in the world, stem the tide of error, aggression, hatred, fear, the isms that threaten humanity and Christianity today, if we listen for the angel messages of divine Truth and follow their guidance every moment of the day and night. Let it be said now, as in the time, of Peter, "Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God."

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THE BASIS FOR RIGHT DECISIONS

January 5, 1952

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