Doubtless great numbers of people in the world today are fearfully and anxiously regarding the state of world affairs and the threat of possible atomic war and disaster and wondering, "What can we do to escape this threatening danger?" Many perhaps feel impotent and hopeless. The student of Christian Science, however, in this as in any and every difficulty turns naturally to God.
Much inspiration, strength, and comfort may be gained from the Scriptures. Here one finds that the individual can do much toward maintaining peace and security in the world through prayer. Step by step he can prove, as the Bible itself declares, that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
Indeed the Scriptures are replete with proofs of God's presence and of His power to protect and save those who pray to Him with understanding and who trust in His infinite goodness, mercy, and love. In II Chronicles, we read that Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were confronted with the threat of aggressive war by the combined hosts of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir. Instead of relying on their own physical strength in this emergency, they put their trust wholeheartedly in God. Their firm faith in and reliance on the divine power and presence were immediately rewarded, for the record states (20:22), "When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." Judah's enemies fell to fighting among themselves until none remained.
