WHEN, through the understanding of Christian Science, the truth comes to human consciousness, prayer becomes the immediate and compelling need of the individual. The newborn spiritual idea requires its true nutriment, which is to be found only through communion with the Father. How frequently Christ Jesus spoke of this spiritual nourishment and the necessity of partaking of it! His discourses upon the "bread of life" and the "living water" plainly indicate what sustains the real life of man; and unless time is taken to partake regularly and systematically of this spiritual food, how can the desired growth in grace be accomplished?
In the Gospels we are repeatedly told that Christ Jesus went into a mountain to pray, even continuing all night in prayer to God; and Mark says, "In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Since the master Christian needed these frequent and protracted seasons of prayer, if we are to approximate his life and works we too need similar periods of quiet and solitude in which to draw near to God, in order that we may experience the spiritual renewing and refreshment which come through communion with infinite Love. Surely, no one is placed in a position where he cannot take at least a few minutes in which to realize his at-one-ment with God before entering upon the day's work. The Master said, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves." How well it is, therefore, to take time in which to know that the Christ, Truth, is ever with us to protect and save!
One prominent argument of mortal mind in this respect is lack of time. Here is where the individual who desires to gain a fuller understanding of Christian Science needs to be fully awake and on guard, for this suggestion of lack of time would, if it could, rob him of his legitimate right to spiritual advancement and consequent dominion over the flesh. It would, if it could, make Marthas of us all! Let us never forget, however, that the Master's commendation rested upon Mary, who had taken time to sit at his feet and hear his word — upon Mary, who was learning how to pray.
