When the cornerstone of the Extension of The Mother Church was laid on July 16, 1904, there was a ceremony in which the First Reader read to a small group from the Bible and from Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. The readings were followed by silent prayer and the repetition of the Lord's Prayer, with its spiritual interpretation from Science and Health. Then there were a few brief extracts read from Mrs. Eddy's other writings. See The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 16-19 . This one was included: "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." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 127
Why is praying for ourselves sometimes the last thing we decide to do? Each one who is committed to praying daily probably has to face this question on occasion. A few "reasons" why one might not pray for oneself could include apparent lack of time, apathy, a concern about sufficient ability to do so effectively, a subtle feeling of not being worthy, a hesitancy to face the need for purification of thought, the view that praying for oneself is vain or selfish.
Few things in life, if any, may take more discipline than praying, possibly because we have to be still, to put out of thought the commotion of worldly distractions and materialistic influences, and affirm the supreme control of God, Truth. In prayer we need to listen to God only, appreciating our inseparable relationship to Him. Christ Jesus tells us, "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret." Matt. 6:6 Science and Health explains, "The closet typifies the sanctuary of Spirit, the door of which shuts out sinful sense but lets in Truth, Life, and Love." Science and Health, p. 15 Willingness to have "closet time" daily, whether we feel there is some great need or not, enables us to unite with God more readily and with greater inspiration and effectiveness. When we turn to God with earnest devotion, we find that our Father-Mother is revealing the exact ideas we need and in ways that are understandable to us.
