THERE is a steady and substantial gain realized by the student of Christian Science who has advanced so far in his understanding of the subject as to appreciate the difference between the prayer of supplication of former years and that of affirmation, with which he demonstrates today the ever presence of God, good. It has often been asked in the past and it is sometimes asked today, "Why was not my prayer answered?" For reply our Lord's words cannot be improved upon, "According to your faith be it unto you." Most assuredly, just as the unanswered prayer of supplication and entreaty to a seemingly deaf ear did not avail us then, neither will the prayer of affirmation avail us anything today, if it consists only of words and phrases, unaccompanied by the faith and understanding by means of which Jesus walked on the water and Daniel stood fearless before the lions. There is no mention of Daniel's having used any sign or speech wherewith to shut the lions' mouths; but the silent understanding he possessed so superlatively, "a conscious, constant capacity to understand God" (Science and Health, p. 209), was his sole weapon.
Jesus made use of but three simple words, "Peace, be still," when the tempest roared about him and threatened to overturn the frail craft which held him and the terrified disciples. The first word in its beautiful simplicity conveyed only the affirmative, the absolute and indisputable fact which needed no corroboration or explanation, that everywhere in God's kingdom of undivided harmony is peace; but he added, for the destruction of the mortal belief before the eyes of his disciples, "Be still." There is no hint of his pleading with the Father for a smoother surface to the troubled waters; there was no anxious waiting for an answer to his prayer, save only in the hearts of his doubting disciples, for whose sakes he uttered that brief command.
The fear-filled child turns instinctively from the object of terror to the arms of its mother, and in its little thought there is not a shade of anxiety as to the safety therein contained. The belief of danger and the knowledge of subsequent safety are almost simultaneous; there is actually no conscious interim in which the child suffers any doubt. This child thought resembles more closely than all others that of the Master, whose recognition of the human belief of fear and the realization of the allness of good were simultaneous.
