Kuwait is a small country on the Persian Gulf, sandwiched between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Except for the invasion by Iraq in 1990, Kuwait remains free of territorial disputes. It has a democratic style of government with an emir, or prince, as head of state.The citizens are unusually blessed because the government is stable and forward looking. For example, it generously shares oil revenues with its citizens while expanding their democracy; and it has given women the right to vote and run for parliament within the last few years.

Only 37 percent of Kuwait's population is Kuwaiti. The rest of population are expatriates representing over 100 nationalities. This devout Muslim state—unlike some others in the region—permits foreigners to worship in a handful of Christian churches. Although Kuwait is safe, security remains a high priority, and the government is vigilant about it. Schools, oil companies, hotels, and ports are some of the country's major security priorities.

The economy is almost entirely dependent on oil revenues. Kuwait is a flat sandy desert that contains 10 percent of the world's oil reserves, and in 2007 was producing about 2.5 million barrels of oil per day (Journal of Petroleum Technology, November 2007). The oil industry was nationalized in the 1970s, so now all oil-related companies are owned by the state. This has been beneficial to the country, but it has introduced a bit of a problem now that there is interest in increasing production to supply global demand.

On the one hand, companies outside Kuwait are ready and willing to assist with capital and technology, but Kuwait's constitution describes its natural resources as the country's national treasure. In practical terms this means that the government is reluctant to invite additional outside technical services. Many here feel that deals with foreign oil business would violate the constitution because the country would have to give up partial ownership of these assets. Parliament is attempting to strike a balance between protecting Kuwait's treasure and making additional agreements with international oil companies to increase production, but this isn't a simple process.

Naturally, Kuwait wants what is best for its people, just as other nations want what's best for their citizens. Contrary to what some believe, not all oil-producing countries exploit their energy resources for political leverage. They have their own unique domestic priorities. For Kuwait, protecting the national treasure is of great importance, at least in part because it is the country's major physical asset.

People outside the country look at this asset from a very different perspective. Many would appreciate maximum oil production and low cost for the consumer. Kuwait, like other countries, is working on ways to meet this demand, and not everyone will come up with the same answer. In my years here, I've realized that our prayer for a harmonious solution to the high cost of fuel should include the oil producers as well as the consumers.

In thinking about the demand for oil, I've found this passage from Mary Baker Eddy's book Science and Health to be quite helpful. It puts our needs on a spiritual basis and helps lift them above focusing on resentment toward oil producers or dwelling on material conditions: "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds" (p.4). Grace, patience, and gratitude are valuable qualities to be recognized and expressed whether expanded production of oil is realized or not. As ideas of divine Spirit, both consumer and producer include grace and patience, and these qualities can do much to ease international tensions.

One prayerful way to consider oil is through studying its spiritual definition in Science and Health: "Oil. Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration" (p. 592). I find it interesting that this definition of oil includes prayer. To me, prayer is an expression of gratitude for God's goodness, a gift of sacred thought. Rather than viewing oil as an expensive, limited commodity, I believe that, in a spiritual sense, it represents the priceless, unlimited qualities of consecration and gentleness. These qualities have their source in our divine Creator, and they bless oil producers and consumers.

As mentioned earlier, security in Kuwait is a high priority because of potential threats from individual extremists. A stanza from a hymn that I love speaks of God as Life and as providing safety to His children:

Divine Love's protection cannot be defined by, nor restricted to, nationality, borders, or culture. God's love is holy, infinite, and it embraces all people. It's entirely unrestricted and available to everyone. No location is outside God's embrace, and, recognizing this in prayer, we can see that the entire region is protected, and that harmony and peace are spiritual qualities that are natural to anyone who loves God.

These truths are applicable worldwide. The law of divine Principle is always present, impartial, and in operation. This law of Principle provides security and protection for all of God's creation. Location or circumstances don't dictate whether or not God's protection is available or if there will be enough to go around for everyone. Divine security is universal, abundantly available, and adaptable to any situation. |css