"THE effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," says the Apostle James. To be effective, then, prayer must depend upon what may be termed its standpoint and quality. Not infrequently one hears such an expression as the following: "For years I have prayed God to help me, but so far my prayers are unanswered. How can that be explained, if God is Love?" This question uncovers the mental outlook. The world's viewpoint is gradually changing, but the general belief would seem reluctant to let go its adherence to the contradictory and illogical view of God as knowing both good and evil and sending sorrow, sickness, and death, with the view of punishing, rebuking, or purifying humanity.
What an entanglement of conflicting thoughts mortal mind can become associated with, yielding in daily life and conduct results which correspond to its own standard of belief! Righteousness, or right thinking, has an entirely different standpoint. Spiritual thinking recognizes God as the only creator, and man as God's image and likeness, governed and controlled by Him. From this standpoint it is seen that God, good, is infinite, filling all space, and omnipotent, the only real power. There is nothing outside of God. He is the source of all good, the very wellspring of life to spiritual man. Thus is evil revealed in its native nothingness.
Consequently, the prayer of the right thinker includes the affirmation of God's power and presence and the spiritual understanding of God's law. When confronted, for example, with the problem of supply, the affirmation should be understandingly made that the real man is God's image, and therefore reflects a constant supply of right ideas. This truth, when realized, is manifested in supply for the human need. Or, again, the prayer which heals sickness is a clear realization of spiritual man's at-one-ment with God, good, and of his immortal perfection.
