Chapter I - Prayer
The chalice sacrificial
10:1
Prayer means that we desire to walk and will walk in
Prayer means that we desire to walk and will walk in
the light so far as we receive it, even though with bleed-
ing footsteps, and that waiting patiently on the Lord,
we will leave our real desires to be rewarded by Him.
10:5
The world must grow to the spiritual understanding
The world must grow to the spiritual understanding
of prayer. If good enough to profit by Jesus' cup of
earthly sorrows, God will sustain us under these sor-
rows. Until we are thus divinely qualified and are
willing to drink his cup, millions of vain repetitions
will never pour into prayer the unction of Spirit in
demonstration of power and "with signs following."
Christian Science reveals a necessity for overcoming the
world, the flesh, and evil, and thus destroying all error.
10:14
Seeking is not sufficient. It is striving that enables
Seeking is not sufficient. It is striving that enables
us to enter. Spiritual attainments open the door to a
higher understanding of the divine Life.
Perfunctory prayers
10:17
One of the forms of worship in Thibet is to carry a
One of the forms of worship in Thibet is to carry a
praying-machine through the streets, and stop at the
doors to earn a penny by grinding out a
prayer. But the advance guard of progress has
paid for the privilege of prayer the price of persecution.
Asking amiss
10:22
Experience teaches us that we do not always receive
Experience teaches us that we do not always receive
the blessings we ask for in prayer. There is some mis-
apprehension of the source and means of
all goodness and blessedness, or we should
certainly receive that for which we ask. The Scrip-
tures say: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask
amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." That
which we desire and for which we ask, it is not always
best for us to receive. In this case infinite Love will
not grant the request. Do you ask wisdom to be mer-
ciful and not to punish sin? Then "ye ask amiss."
11:1
Without punishment, sin would multiply. Jesus' prayer,
Without punishment, sin would multiply. Jesus' prayer,
"Forgive us our debts," specified also the terms of
forgiveness. When forgiving the adulterous woman he
said, "Go, and sin no more."
Remission of penalty
11:5
A magistrate sometimes remits the penalty, but this
A magistrate sometimes remits the penalty, but this
may be no moral benefit to the criminal, and at best, it
only saves the criminal from one form of
punishment. The moral law, which has the
right to acquit or condemn, always demands restitu-
tion before mortals can "go up higher." Broken law
brings penalty in order to compel this progress.
Truth annihilates error
11:12
Mere legal pardon (and there is no other, for divine
Mere legal pardon (and there is no other, for divine
Principle never pardons our sins or mistakes till they
are corrected) leaves the offender free to re-
peat the offence, if indeed, he has not already
suffered sufficiently from vice to make him turn from it
with loathing. Truth bestows no pardon upon error, but
wipes it out in the most effectual manner. Jesus suffered
for our sins, not to annul the divine sentence for an in-
dividual's sin, but because sin brings inevitable suffering.
Desire for holiness
11:21
Petitions bring to mortals only the results of mor-
Petitions bring to mortals only the results of mor-
tals' own faith. We know that a desire for holiness is
requisite in order to gain holiness; but if we
desire holiness above all else, we shall sac-
rifice everything for it. We must be willing to do this,
that we may walk securely in the only practical road
to holiness. Prayer cannot change the unalterable
Truth, nor can prayer alone give us an understanding
of Truth; but prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual
desire to know and do the will of God, will bring us
into all Truth. Such a desire has little need of audible
expression. It is best expressed in thought and in life.