When things were the darkest and the continuity of the Union seemed to be in the balance, Abraham Lincoln possessed unfailing courage and patience. His secret was indeed simple. A newspaper reports him as saying: "I have often wished that I was a more devout man than I am. Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance in God, knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right."
Can any of us carry the burdens and meet the challenges of each day with our own strength alone? Do not all of us really need help from God? God knows our need. He imparts the help. And Christian Science enables us to know God, to turn to Him as a loving Father, and to rely on His unfailing directions.
Our Master, Christ Jesus, recognized his closeness to God, listened for His guidance, and unfailingly worked in unison with Him to solve every problem. He said to his followers, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). Our Master did not teach his disciples to try to dominate. He taught them to pray. And from the Bible we learn that as they lifted their thought to God, they became strong! From our Master's time until today, true Christians have lifted their faith to God through prayer. The Science of Christianity is the Science which lifts faith to spiritual understanding and thereby utilizes the Christly power of prayer.
