Unceasing Prayer

Many of us strive to become as good a person as we can. Mary Baker Eddy, in her textbook Science and Health, tells us how: “The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer.” (4:12-13) Unceasing prayer sounds like a tall order. However, Science and Health shows us how to work in this direction. We have a prayer to use for each part of our day.

First we have a morning prayer. Morning is defined as “Light; symbol of Truth; revelation and progress.” (584: 1-2) What a way to wake up in the morning, expectant of the light of Truth. Each morning, know that today is going to be a revelation. So you do not need to worry about what you need to do at work or in your family life. Since your day is a revelation, you do not need to outline. Instead, trust that God’s goodness is directing every step. Your day is harmonious because you reflect God. He is Love, and you can only express love and be loved. Every morning, you can know that today is unique day of progress. Why? Because each day you are growing more in your understanding of God. What a glorious day is in store for you when you start with this morning!

As the evening comes, so can another prayer. Evening is defined as “Mistiness of mortal thought; weariness of mortal mind; obscured views; peace and rest.” (586:1-2) The first part is a description of the mortal view of evening; then comes the divine definition, peace and rest. Just because we worked all day, we do not need to be weary. Remember that we are working for the Lord. How can God’s business be weary? The Bible tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). Quiet the suggestion that there was even one moment in our day that was not filled with God’s goodness and love. Since God is all, how can there be room for anything else?

Now for the biggest challenge of your prayer -- how to pray during the night? Mrs. Eddy tells us that night is defined as “Darkness, doubt, fear.”(592:21) When we pray, it is with the light of the Truth. This light extinguishes darkness and fear. God is ever-present, omnipotent good. He is with us 24 hours a day. We can never be separated from His love. You cannot doubt that your prayers are effective. You cannot be afraid. You are His beloved child and He cares for you and is always with you. Wherever you are, God is with you.

God, good is illuminating the way. God’s unceasing love in your life can never be taken from you. The light of Truth that you have been holding onto cannot turn into darkness since the truth of our prayers cannot be reversed. “This unfolding is God's day, and ‘there shall be no night there.’” (584:7-8)