In Christian Science, it is demonstrably true that nothing worth while can be accomplished, or even should be attempted, without God's help. To receive His help, prayer is paramount. The greatest teacher and demonstrator of spiritual truths the world has known, Christ Jesus, frequently went "apart to pray." Because he found this practice indispensable in solving all human problems, even to the overcoming of death for himself and for others and the accomplishing of his own ascension, it is wise for us to follow his example. On one occasion he said, "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Commenting on this passage, Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 15), "The closet typifies the sanctuary of Spirit, the door of which shuts out sinful sense but lets in Truth, Life, and Love." "The sanctuary of Spirit" can be entered in the degree that consciousness is spiritualized, a mental process depending upon receptivity, understanding, and obedience. Each of us has the opportunity to persuade, encourage, and help others to this end, but enlightenment and spiritualization of thought are inescapably individual.
Being wholly apart from all influence and evidence of the material senses, this sanctuary is a haven of peace, harmony, and joy. Though material sense may suggest many forms of sin, fear, and ignorance, yet God's angels are ever present to encourage and strengthen us; and these spiritual messages, understood, never fail to show us the nothingness of erroneous beliefs. How grateful we are for the opportunity to pray at all times, to listen for the divine voice! However discordant and insistent material conditions appear, however dark seems the prospect of overcoming them, the harmony prevailing in "the sanctuary of Spirit" is forever true. The better our spiritual listening, the clearer and stronger do heavenly truths become to us, silencing the clamor of material sense. The listening attitude is indispensable in overcoming the influence of evil; hence, it ought to be perseveringly and assiduously cultivated.
Prayer is, then, the gracious means whereby we come consciously closer to divine Love, so that our eternal at-one-ment with God is more clearly realized. Prayer is the only way to the kingdom of heaven. The spiritual ideas existing forever in "the sanctuary of Spirit" are revealed through prayer, enabling us to perceive what is spiritually real; to feel the tenderness and goodness of Love; to taste the substance of Spirit; to hear God's voice.
