Chapter I - Prayer
Searching the heart
9:1
rather give thanks that we are "not as other men"?
rather give thanks that we are "not as other men"?
During many years the author has been most grateful
for merited rebuke. The wrong lies in unmerited cen-
sure, – in the falsehood which does no one any good.
Summit of aspiration
9:5
The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these
The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these
questions: Do we love our neighbor better because of
this asking? Do we pursue the old selfish-
ness, satisfied with having prayed for some-
thing better, though we give no evidence of the sin-
cerity of our requests by living consistently with our
prayer? If selfishness has given place to kindness,
we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless
them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great
duty simply by asking that it may be done. There is
a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition
of our hope and faith.
Practical religion
9:17
Dost thou "love the Lord thy God with all thy
Dost thou "love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind"?
This command includes much, even the sur-
render of all merely material sensation, affec-
tion, and worship. This is the El Dorado of Christianity.
It involves the Science of Life, and recognizes only the
divine control of Spirit, in which Soul is our master,
and material sense and human will have no place.
The chalice sacrificial
9:25
Are you willing to leave all for Christ, for Truth, and
Are you willing to leave all for Christ, for Truth, and
so be counted among sinners? No! Do you really desire
to attain this point? No! Then why make long
prayers about it and ask to be Christians,
since you do not care to tread in the footsteps of our
dear Master? If unwilling to follow his example, why
pray with the lips that you may be partakers of his
nature? Consistent prayer is the desire to do right.
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."