It is significant that in the seventeenth chapter of John, in which is given the prayer of Christ Jesus on the eve of his crucifixion, the Master is represented as praying first for himself. The prayer abounds in the tenderest of petitions and the most exalted realization on behalf of his disciples, those of that period and all who were to follow. Most of the prayer relates directly to these others. But at the outset of it he said, "Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee;" and a moment later, "O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."
It is plain that if one is to bless others, one must do it through realization and exemplification of true manhood. Man, in his real and spiritual character, is the showing forth of the presence of God, who alone can bless. Therefore, if genuine benefits are to be in evidence, man must be in evidence; and this means that the scientifically Christian thinker must be recognizing and exemplifying the truth about himself.
Mary Baker Eddy, the beloved Discoverer and Founder of the Science of Jesus' teachings, Christian Science, continually emphasizes the importance of prayer for oneself. On page 127 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she says, "One thing I have greatly desired, and again earnestly request, namely, that Christian Scientists, here and elsewhere, pray daily for themselves; not verbally, nor on bended knee, but mentally, meekly, and importunately." Again, in three passages in the Manual of The Mother Church. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts (Art. VIII, Sects. 1, 4, and 6), Mrs. Eddy admonishes Christian Scientists to pray daily for themselves; and further counsel and help on the same point may be found in numerous other places in her writings. The fruitage continually resulting from obedience to these instructions demonstrates their great value.
