I was finalizing the coursework I needed to graduate from college—at last!—when I discovered I needed one more elective. It had been a long haul to get to this point. Frankly, I was ready for college to be over. I scanned the options and found a course that seemed easy.

After all, how hard could “Classical and Middle Eastern Mythology” be? There were only two scheduled exams. The textbook was a slim paperback filled with myths from various ancient civilizations, and we were never assigned anything from it.

I'd really hit the jackpot this time. I had taken a lot of heavy-duty courses over my college career: computer science, calculus, and increasingly advanced accounting. I looked forward to coasting my way through this last class. Frankly, I thought registering for this course was an answer to prayer.

The professor was widely traveled and he shared stories of myths still popular in the countries he visited. The class was interesting, but there wasn’t much structure. And when our midterm exam was scheduled, my classmates and I didn’t feel very confident about what was to come. After gathering to complain bitterly that it was impossible to study for this test, we left in a collective huff. We were determined not to waste time even trying to study. This was not my usual way, but I went along with the crowd and abandoned any serious efforts to prepare for the exam.

The test was hard. We had to analyze several original myths, but they made no sense to me. I could barely write anything on my paper. I had no idea what the professor wanted, and I felt resentful that he chose this way to evaluate us. I was used to reading a textbook, taking notes in class, and being tested on the same. This did not seem fair at all.

My attitude went from bad to worse when I discovered that while I bombed the test, my fellow classmates had done much better. Contrary to what I thought everyone was doing, they had studied, and evidently found information that I had missed.

Frustrated, I realized it was time to try a different approach.

As I assessed the situation, I realized that my motive for signing up for this course had been more willful than prayerful. Now I wanted to get my spiritual bearings straight by really praying for God’s direction.

I turned to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy to know how to handle this problem spiritually. Amazingly, right in the first chapter was a reference to the "test" of prayer. As I zeroed in on what Mrs. Eddy had to say about living your prayer instead of just speaking it, I found that I'd failed this test, too!

Sheepishly, I realized that it was neither fair nor honest on my part to expect credits from the course without expending any effort. I had been selfish and closed-minded from the start. I hadn't allowed myself to be teachable. No wonder success eluded me.

Blaming the professor for my shortcomings was both immature and ridiculous. He was doing his best to make this an enriching elective that would broaden the sometimes-too-narrowly focused program of study. And his exams required one of the goals of higher education: the ability to think deeply and analyze material.

With a new attitude of humility, I acknowledged there were legitimate demands on me that I needed to address, but I was still clueless about how best to prepare for the final exam.

I began to pray in earnest. I focused on expressing understanding, comprehension, patience, and intelligence. I had learned from my study of Christian Science that these were qualities of God, ever-available to His children.

I strove to live my prayer honestly. I attended class regularly and took notes as carefully as possible. I rooted out any negativism I felt about the subject, the professor, or anything that would be counterproductive to my prayers. I was now humble enough to be teachable.

There is an outstanding example of unselfish, or what the Bible might call "righteous" prayer in I Kings, where Solomon, newly made king, made an earnest prayer for spiritual guidance. It’s recorded that his prayer was answered because it pleased God. He didn't ask for a long life, for riches for himself, or to conquer his enemies. Instead, he wanted a wise and understanding heart. And as it turned out, he received this and all the other things, too.

As time for the final exam came, I longed to pray a righteous prayer like Solomon’s. Again I had to fight off panic after reading the myths we were to analyze. I still felt I had no knowledge to impart.

But this time, I paused to pray. I reaffirmed my uninterrupted ability to express patience, understanding, intuition—whatever spiritual qualities I needed each moment. Also, I realized that I had taken careful notes, studied, read the textbook, and those steps of obedience—perhaps more than any information gained—were key to a spiritual solution in this situation.

I quietly listened for ideas. As they began to form, I discerned a pattern to certain types of myths, and some distinctions that set them apart. Confidently I turned in the final exam, knowing it would make the grade. The results were wonderful and I easily met all the requirements for graduation.

When I think about this experience today, it still inspires me to see how much I gained. The lessons I learned as I made my way through the course have stayed with me. I matured in my understanding of prayer. I learned the importance of pure motives as its basis.

And while my attitude was initially selfish, my original prayer was more ignorant than willful. I thought I wanted an easy grade, with little effort, and instead I got pitfalls and stumbling blocks!

But I was lifted out of my troubles when I shifted my basis to a willing obedience to God. Examining my thoughts and motives from a spiritual standpoint enabled me to conquer willfulness and pride, which were fast leading me to failure. I found out that success and progress are built on spiritual qualities such as unselfishness and honesty, which when lived, bring increasing blessings.

And that’s a lesson worth learning!

Lessons learned from prayer:

Science and Health
9:5

King James Bible
I Kings 3:5-10