Since 1988, the first Thursday in May has been designated as a National Day of Prayer in the United States. (The National Day of Prayer tradition in the US has existed since 1775, but it wasn't until 1988 that a specific date was designated by the US Congress.) With this day of prayer in mind, the Journal asked two spiritual teachers—one a Christian Scientist and one a Muslim—to talk about prayer and what it means to them.
Why do Christian Scientists pray?
Probably for most of the same reasons that everybody prays—they need help for something that is beyond human resources. Also, I think for myself, as a Christian Scientist, there is always the desire to know God better. That's what led me to study Christian Science. I wanted to be a better person and to let the divine influence purify my motives, and also to bring peace to my thoughts and my experiences.
