The more we hear about governmental problems, the more we may think that the last thing we need is government! Unfortunately, the very word government has come to represent, to many people, little that is likable and much that is unlikable. And yet government is intended to help society function in an organized way.

We're familiar enough with the kinds of criticism and anger directed toward government. But when it comes to finding solutions, there is a sense that the problems of government are simply beyond solving. People often feel detached and powerless. But they aren't

There's no question that it can seem that we're powerless at times, particularly when it appears we have little or no influence over priorities, policies, regulations, and the like. And yet power—certainly the power to think and act rightly under any circumstance—isn't really a matter of who or what we have influence over. It's more a matter of what we believe has influence over us.

When God, divine Truth and Love, has full sway in our lives, we are never powerless. Rather, we are thinking insightfully, acting wisely, being truthful and loving, all in accord with the nature and will of our Maker, the one all-knowing, omnipotent, divine Mind. What's more, we not only have the highest authority and power enabling us to yield to the divine nature and will, we have a mandate to do so. That's because we are, in fact, God's very image, the expression of Truth and Love.

All of this shows us where our focus should be when we want to make a meaningful difference in government. There are many ways in which we can work at improving the present workings of government, but the indispensable step, and the ongoing need, is for better self-government.

Each individual must examine what is governing him or her. Is it instinct, anger, love, the rules of a committee, compassion, popular opinion, fear, habit? Whatever it is, there's no escaping the fact that allowing something to govern us precedes the full effect of that government on our lives. In that sense, self-examination and self-government play an essential role in determining the quality and direction of our lives.

If we're preoccupied with condemnation or we shrug our shoulders in indifference at apparent troubles in government, we've lost sight of what transforms our lives, what constitutes the perfect government of man and of the whole universe. We've lost sight of the divine Principle, Love. The need is to understand this Principle more fully and to live in accord with it, thus conforming to God's government and expressing more of His nature. And this must inevitably make a contribution toward solving the problems of government. In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love" (p. 106). This means not only that we're just and law-abiding, and that we strive daily for the purification and spiritualization of thought, but that we also have the utmost care and respect for others, just as we would want them to have for us.

It is effective prayer to want deeply and consistently to be governed in this way, and to want everyone to see for himself or herself the significance of being divinely guided and governed. It is understandable why Mrs. Eddy, the Founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist, included such a prayer as a daily duty for the members of her Church. The Manual of The Mother Church says in Article VIII:

How simple a prayer. Which is not to say that bringing our lives up to such a standard is a snap. Indeed, this prayer makes strong demands on us to conquer sinful thinking and to grow spiritually. We can't be passive. But what better way for any individual to participate in the establishment of a perfect government than by following through with a daily prayer—for the affections of one and all—to be governed by God.

Russ Gerber

PSALMS

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

Psalms 37:23, 24