When Mary Baker Eddy makes superlative statements in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, they get my attention, because she clearly did not make them lightly. One such statement is, “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds” (p. 4).
Seriously, can this be what we most need? Always? Sometimes I’m tempted to think that what I most need is more time, more help, more inspiration, more understanding, more resources, or more wisdom. But actually, I believe Mrs. Eddy had it right. When demanding moments of need have arisen in my life, and I’ve stopped to pray for more grace to express patience, meekness, love, and good deeds, I’ve found that my needs have been met.
For example, recently I was faced with a very busy and demanding schedule. Someone had lovingly tried to help me out by arranging a technology upgrade they thought would support my work. But in the end, the installation wasn’t practical, and I needed to ship it back to the supplier. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, the package, with its pre-paid labels, had to be shipped specifically through a specific carrier and the two closest offices were each 45 minutes away.
