The Bible tells us that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16 Christ Jesus taught that all who understand, accept, and practice his teachings can, through prayer, demonstrate the divine healing power.
Referring to Jesus, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy states, "He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause." Science and Health, p. 313 Like a diver, we can—in prayer—penetrate the shallow surface of turbulent human thought. We can become conscious of the ever-present realm of divine Truth, the calm, all-embracing atmosphere of Love, God, the true source and substance of all real existence. We can recognize the truth of ourselves—discern the spiritual, perfect man spoken of in the first chapter of Genesis as made in the image and likeness of God. Prayer supports us on our spiritual journey, constantly affording fresh vistas of Truth, revealing immortal ideas that open our thought and heart to understand God's original and eternal spiritual man.
Jesus taught that man is one with God, expressing the eternal qualities of purity, goodness, perfection, and love. God's immortal idea, man, is not material and evil. As the offspring of God, he remains forever what God made him to be—spiritual and harmonious. Knowing and affirming this unchanging, eternal truth of man's being is one form of effectual prayer.
