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(Right motives)
What are the motives for prayer? Do we pray to
make ourselves better or to benefit those who hear us,
to enlighten the infinite or to be heard of
men? Are we benefited by praying? Yes,
the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness
is blessed of our Father, and it does not return
unto us void.
(Deity unchangeable)
God is not moved by the breath of praise to do more
than He has already done, nor can the infinite do less
than bestow all good, since He is unchanging
wisdom and Love. We can do more for
ourselves by humble fervent petitions, but the All-loving
does not grant them simply on the ground of lip-service,
for He already knows all.
Prayer cannot change the Science of being, but it
tends to bring us into harmony with it. Goodness attains
the demonstration of Truth. A request that
God will save us is not all that is required. The mere
habit of pleading with the divine Mind, as one pleads
with a human being, perpetuates the belief in God as
humanly circumscribed, - an error which impedes spiritual
growth.
(God's standard)
God is Love. Can we ask Him to be more? God is
intelligence. Can we inform the infinite Mind of anything
He does not already comprehend?
Do we expect to change perfection? Shall
we plead for more at the open fount, which is pouring
forth more than we accept? The unspoken desire
does bring us nearer the source of all existence and
blessedness.
Asking God to be God is a vain repetition. God is
"the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever;" and
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