Prayers for Prosperity ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          The thought of prosperity is to be found in many places throughout the Scriptures, and it was undoubtedly regarded by the Hebrew people as a manifestation of divine favor. It certainly cannot be said that there was anything wrong about this if the idea which it represents was rightly understood, and it surely was by the more spiritually minded throughout the centuries which preceded the coming of Christ Jesus. In patriarchal times we find that no enterprise was undertaken without a prayer for divine guidance and prosperity, and we have a wonderful illustration of that which really constitutes it when we read in II Chronicles of the experiences of Uzziah. From the record we find that Uzziah was only sixteen years old when his long and harmonious reign began; but it is good to read that he did "that which was right in the sight of the Lord," and we are told that "as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper."          In the Psalms we find many different phases of human belief presented, and if we search diligently we can always discover the spiritual truth which corrects the error. Thus we find the psalmist declaring that "God is good to Israel." Then we find him saying, "I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." He evidently was passing through experiences such as are common to many Christian Scientists, but he tells us that when he went into the "sanctuary of God," advanced beyond material sense to spiritual reality, then he understood what had formerly been hidden from him; and the light of Truth entering his consciousness brought an awakening from this mortal dream wherein good seems to be subservient to evil. We find him giving thanks for the divine counsel which he had received, and a deep lesson may be gathered from the words which follow, "It is good for me to draw near to God."          In the 118th psalm we read, "O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." This recalls our Leader's words in her annual Message to The Mother Church in 1898, called "Christian Science versus Pantheism," where she says, "Pray for the prosperity of our country, and for her victory under arms; that justice, mercy, and peace continue to characterize her government, and that they shall rule all nations" (p. 14). One thing is certain, that neither nations nor individuals can prosper in any true sense, or for any length of time, unless they are obedient to the law of Truth and Love: and the sooner we find this out the better for us as individuals in the working out of our daily problems. The trouble usually is that the necessary steps, which call for unswerving obedience to divine law, are overlooked, because desire is turned so constantly toward prosperity, without due thought as to what really constitutes it, hence the spiritual height is not reached.          St. John had undoubtedly gained a true sense of this subject when he said in his third epistle, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." If we were to watch constantly that our prayer for prosperity might be really based upon a deep, heartfelt desire for spiritual health, which means holiness, we should have no reason to mourn over wasted time or effort. Furthermore, in getting right ourselves in this respect we should help others to gain the incorruptible riches eternally provided by divine Love for all who love the truth. The student of Christian Science readily sees the deep intent of Mrs. Browning's words, where she expresses her concept of what "I" really means. It is this: —                   The conscious and eternal soul          With all its ends, — and not the outside life,          The parcel-man, the doublet of the flesh,          The so much liver, lung, integument,          Which make the sum of "I" hereafter when          World-talkers talk of doing well or ill.          I prosper, if I gain a step.          If we do not realize prosperity in our earthly experience, it is well to get rid of whatever clogging beliefs may be holding us back; and then, as in the early experience of the Church of Christ, Scientist, when a forward step was taken, we shall be able to record it as did our Leader, when she wrote: "This measure was immediately followed by a great revival of mutual love, prosperity, and spiritual power" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 44). As Christian Scientists we could not even desire a prosperity which does not include that of our beloved cause, and so our own growth and well-being must be held sacred because of its relation to this cause and the blessing which it holds for all mankind.   "Prayers for Prosperity" by Annie M. Knott, CSD Christian Science Sentinel, November 3, 1917

 

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