Prayer is the most ancient known form of religious observance; traces of it are to be found in every ancient or modern system of religion. The general purpose of prayer has often been either to appease an unknown malevolent power or to curry favor with an equally unknown, or but partially known, beneficent power; although among Christians, and monotheists generally, popular belief combines these opposing forces in one person, commonly called God. The term prayer, however, usually means an address, an asking or a seeking; and it is more commonly considered in the sense of petitioning or seeking.
The Hebrews from Abraham to the first century made petitions. Sometimes they sought divine aid honestly; sometimes they sought to persuade God to do what they wanted, whether it was right or not. Moses prayed for guidance. He invoked the divine will; and when his humble desire conformed to the eternal facts of being, and his deeds attested his sincerity, his prayers were answered. Remembering the astonishing results of Moses' efforts to conform to the divine will, at the exodus and in the wilderness, one marvels that Judaism could have drifted as it did into formalism and dogmatism. Prayer, if confined to the mere repetition of words or gestures, can be of little avail with Deity. The Chinese were practical when they inscribed the words of their prayers on a water-wheel and let the stream repeat their petitions for them; in fact, this form of prayer claimed to have a distinct advantage,—one could give his whole attention to something else and still not be neglectful of his prayers! Few persons, however, really believe there is efficacy in such mechanical methods of praying.
The great Nazarene had no such illusion. He did not mince words when he denounced the show and formalism of outward worship. His contrast of the Pharisee and the publican left little doubt in his hearers' minds as to what he thought upon the subject. The Master's words were attested by his deeds. It was not only what he said, but what he thought and did, which attested the sincerity and efficacy of his own petitions. In a marvelously illuminating passage on page 12 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy says: "It is neither Science nor Truth which acts through blind belief, nor is it the human understanding of the divine healing Principle as manifested in Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and conscientious protests of Truth,—of man's likeness to God and of man's unity with Truth and Love." Jesus' prayers, then, were "deep and conscientious protests of Truth;" they were positive declarations; they were solemn affirmations: and it is in this sense of confident understanding that Christian Scientists follow their Master in the prayer which heals and saves.
