An individual prayed for the recovery of an animal from a severe sickness. The animal died. Later, she wondered out loud if prayer was a hit or miss proposition.
It’s a good question and deserves an answer.
Does prayer work sometimes and not others?
When Jesus was quizzed by his disciples why they could not heal a boy possessed by a demon, Jesus replied,
“Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:19-21 NKJV).
Jesus did not reply that prayer works sometimes and not others. He reinforced the truth that prayer can always bring the appropriate result when faith exists to back it up.
So, the question, “Does prayer work?” is not the right question. The question, “Do I have faith in what I pray?” is closer to the mark.
And it’s a good question to ask when faced with pressing circumstances. For instance, to ask probing questions like…
~Do I believe more in the evil presenting itself than in the good I’m praying to understand?
~Am I more impressed with sickness than with health?
~Am I letting fear affect my outlook?
~Do I believe God is omnipotent, or am I conceding power to evil?
…can help us see where our faith is placed.
To the degree we believe evil and sickness are real, we don’t believe in God, for belief in evil saps faith in God.
The purpose of prayer is to bring human thought into line with spiritual reality. To the degree we see and understand spiritual reality, it becomes reality to us here on earth. The effect of spiritual truth understood is seen in the human experience in practical outward ways, such as the healing of physical disease.
So, never give up on prayer! Prayer that builds faith in God and saps faith in evil is always a “hit.”
In prayer, we’re not waiting to see what happens outwardly to confirm whether our prayer works or not. Prayer always has a good effect. Our goal is to spiritualize thought sufficiently so that we can see a full realization of our prayer.
Keep building faith in God, lose faith in evil, and grow in your understanding of Truth, and you’ll have that realization!
A very powerful thought
Powerful and transforming thought here for us to use to reveal God’s Truth and Love! Thankyou again, Evan for your refreshing, healing , ever- fresh lifts!—merri
Many thanks for this clear explanation. As mentioned above -powerful.
That’s one question I never had answered until Evan just explained it. Prayer and faith as to the outcome goes hand in hand. Doubt, even a speck will leave all prayer null and void.
Today Evan, I feel that your blog was meant specifically for me. I am dealing with a serious
dog issue and as much as I pray ( and boy do I pray), I see the material conditions presented before my eyes. Intellectually I know the truth, but I don’t know if my heart can comprehend it. That being said, I do so appreciate reading your blogs each morning
and I am sure they are helping me. Thank you for being there for all of us.
But doesn’t that then mean you can put yourself unwittingly at the mercy and effect of a practitioner who may NOT be able to reach the mental healing altitude required. So it puts healing in human mind, not divine mind. It shouldn’t be dependent in the person but God.
Please answer this I am struggling with this at the moment.
Hi Shirley,
Always put yourself in the hands of God. The purpose of a practitioner is to help the patient feel the presence of God and be healed by God’s Truth. The practitioner should be seeing you in the hands of God too. You are correct, the human mind does not heal. The divine Mind heals. It is wise to call for help when you feel that “sinking feeling,” and need a hand up, but still be reaching out to God for your help, and you’ll be in a safe place.
Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!!!
Thank you for the clearly stated answer to this question.
I know the Lord’s prayer, I know the sciencifit statement of being, but I was wondering if you have any other prayer’s that one could memorize. Thanks
I use the Daily Prayer, by Mary Baker Eddy:
“Thy kingdom come;” let the reign of
divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in
me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy
Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and
govern them!
Dear Evan, a few weeks ago I had to put my beloved dog Barkley down . He would have been 17 this December. I was emotionally distraught. I called my practitioner and tried my best to move on. I kept wondering…do our pets go to heaven? Then I would try to see Barkley playing and being loved by everyone out of his tired body. I still could not get my peace. Finally, one night after reading “Mary Baker Eddy Christian Healer” I had a little talk with Barkley. I told him how much I loved him, but I just wished that I could be certain that he was fine. Then I turned off my light and went to sleep. At 2:30 a.m. I heard a very loud distinctive bark!!!! I sat up in bed and wrote about the entire happening. I can’t tell you how much that sweet bark meant to me. I know Barkley has moved on and I’m sure he is just fine. My gratitude to God was overwhelming. I’ve often felt like a “doubting Thomas” because I haven’t felt like God ever heard my prayers. That simple bark meant the world to me. I thanked God over and over as I knew my prayer was answered. Yes, pets to go to heaven.
Wow Evan,
What a wonderful & thought-provoking response to an age-old question. It is so important for us all to understand, as we are all practitioners, practising this Science of Christ.
I have begun to really understand recently, that any acceptance of evil, disease, a power apart from God negates our work. My daily prayer now includes knowing that I can not be mesmerised into believing any power apart from God, because there is no power apart from God – none whatsoever – there never has been, there isn’t now, and there never can be – for all space, all eternity is filled with God, good, for ever and ever.
I am so grateful for your clarification on the issues and explanations, and for all you do for mankind.
Jo xx
What do you think Jesus meant by fasting?
Fasting from mortal beliefs in disease, fear, etc…any type of mental state that perpetuates or allows for suffering.
All dogs go to heaven.
Regarding fasting…should that include fasting from the evening news ?
That’s your call. Whatever you need to do to keep your thought spiritually aligned, inspired and in touch with Truth is what you need to do. I like to be an informed citizen, but, as you have seen, find certain channels of information easier to learn the true news through than others.
Your answers to people’s questions are SO, so helpful, Evan. Often It’s not that we don’ t understand or believe – we probably do – but the question is in how to APPLY it to our particular circumstance, as you would when someone calls you for help. Your insight gives me fresh ammunition and strength.