Arizona republican., 1919-08-04
Practical Prayer
Written for The Christian Science
 MOp:4orN

tWrltten for The Christian Sclence
 Monitor)
 Christian Science prayer is demon strably practical for it is an available help for every need that arises in daily experience. It is distinctively prayer that is put to useful purpose, prayer that is employed as Jesus used it to overcome discord sin, sickness, death, in fact all evil. Its present effects are so great and far reaching that each on can see them and judge for himself; it's methods are so simple that any un- prejudiced seeker can master enough of it to prove it's beneficence.
 The practical application of prayer to the needs of humanity in no way detracts from the exalted character of Christian prayer. It does not de- base prayer but exalts the seeker Care is exercised in Christian Science not to attempt to bring spiritual concepts down to a materialistic level in order to prove that they are practical; but on the contrary the whole effect of scientific prayer is to bring customary thought to a higher. spiritual stand ard and prove conclusively that the spiritual is the practical
 Since the healing efficacy of Chris tion Science was first proved by Mary Baker Eddy and she first stated this logical and demonstrable truth in her textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" a remarkable change has occurred in many phases of human thought at least in the United States. The plea of avowed Christions that the Golden Rule is not a practical standard for the conduct of business has largely given way to useful application of this rule ex- pressed in the popular business mot to, Service First. In governmental af- fairs, especially international relations. the recognition and application in de- gree of the guidance of God as divine Principle is apparent. The brother hood of man, which is fundamental of Christianity, finds expression in a more nearly equal suffrage, improved conditions for labor, and better under standing between employe and en- ployer. Concrete evidence of better standards of living is seen in the re- quirements for pure foods and drugs, and the inhibition of the sale of habit forming drugs and intoxicants
 The right thinking that has produced such progress is practical prayer and is in accord with the Principle of d- vine Science. Of proof, rather than mere profession of spiritual growth, Mrs. Eddy has written: This is an element of progress, and progress is the law of God. whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfill" !" tScience and Health p. 233.) The re- lationship of progress to the fulfiIlment Of Christian requisites indicates that consistent practice is vital element of practical prayer. The application of Christian Science proves that Chris tlan living in practical prayer.
 Christian Science is not in harmony with any conventional theory about the sufficiency of profession or blind belief for the attainment of salvation. or freedom and harmony This Sci ence reveals that profession must be fully supported by practice before harmony is attained. and that from mere belief the seeker must advance to demostrable understanding before he proves his freedom as a child of God. Comparing Truth to gold, and the Christian to gold seeker, may in dicate the fallacy of prayer that is be- lief without understanding and show the practicality of the prayer of spir-