Paul's advice was to pray without ceasing. Unceasing prayer means to recognize God's perfection and man as His likeness; to be conscious of life instead of death, health in place of sickness, honesty rather than dishonesty; to discern good in ourselves and others; and to reject evil. When one acknowledges the infinitude of Spirit and feels its holy presence, he will not be easily mesmerized by a sense of limitation or by any unhappy phase of mortal belief. With spiritual, right thoughts we pray. We must hold on to true thoughts and let go of error. Isaiah described the Messiah as one who would "know to refuse the evil, and choose the good" (7:15), Such is prayer.
When one asks the Father for help, he should expect this help at once. He must realize that God is always right where man is, embracing him in infinite goodness. Did not Jesus promise (Matt. 7:7), "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find"? Communion with divine Mind requires spiritual consecration of thought and devotion. Mary Baker Eddy says (Christian Healing, p. 2), "The genius of Christianity is works more than words; a calm and steadfast communion with God."
Prayer unfolds blessings to mankind. Material thinking and believing are animal magnetism, which denies God's allness. Our need is to be ever steadfast in our allegiance to Principle and not to be made to admit, yield, or subscribe to any phase of mortal mind. Beliefs of materiality disappear with the appearing of the Christ, Truth, in individual consciousness. Each day can bring proof of this spiritual unfoldment of the Christ, Truth. The activity of infinite good in consciousness exposes and overcomes the belief of another presence or power.
