Michelle Boccanfuso Nanouche, CSB Christian Science Practitioner & Teacher
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1/10/2012

Why "prayer"?

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_A blog reader recently asked, "Why can we only glimpse God through prayer?" Actually, we glimpse God in everything that expresses pure good. Prayer isn't key to glimpsing God. Prayer is key to moving on from glimpses, to really understanding and experiencing God's goodness (to enjoying it) in a larger way.

Prayer is a word loaded with different connotations for different people. When I speak of prayer, it involves a mental and spiritual looking up and turning away from a material sense of things. It means engaging one's spiritual sense to be open to an infinite God-perspective - a divine Love-perspective, a radiant Soul-perspective, an eternal Life-perspective - on reality.


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_ Healthy prayer is not meditation or seeking to find a private inner state of consciousness or have a mystical experience; although, prayer often involves deep, penetrating thought. Prayer is not self-hypnosis through the repetition of words or sounds and attempting to achieve some form of enlightenment. Healthy prayer is the mindful engagement with the dynamic power of ever-present Truth, God, in small and large ways.

For some, prayer is an "eye's closed" experience. Others pray with their eyes open. Some kneel. Others sit. A few stand. The physical position isn't important of itself. In other words - physical positioning means little more than the thought that motivates it.

A prayer on bended knee with eyes closed is not more effective or impressive than prayer in any other position. It's not the body's position, but the heart's disposition that counts. A heart full of gratitude and humility is most receptive to hearing, feeling, seeing and expressing more of God's goodness.

Here are some helpful thoughts on prayer.

"Prayer can neither change God, nor bring His designs into mortal modes; but it can and does change our modes and our false sense of Life, Love, and Truth, uplifting us to Him. Such prayer humiliates, purifies, and quickens activity, in the direction that is unerring.

"True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection. Prayer
is the utilization of the love wherewith He loves us. Prayer begets an awakened desire to be and do good. It makes
new and scientific discoveries of God, of His goodness and power. It shows us more clearly than we saw before,
what we already have and are; and most of all, it shows us what God is. Advancing in this light, we reflect it;
and this light reveals the pure Mind-pictures, in silent prayer, even as photography grasps the solar light to por‐
tray the face of pleasant thought". (No and Yes, by Mary Baker Eddy,p. 39)


What does prayer mean to you? When is your favorite time to pray?
Do you have any particular practices that help you when you pray?
(Comments welcomed)

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Dave
1/10/2012 06:48:37 am

On "Sacrament" Sundays, the congregation in most Christian Science churches is invited to kneel. We are thinking about doing this in Sunday School, too, for those Sundays. I agree that the physical position undertaken during prayer is not important, so why do we ask the congregation in a very obvious way to kneel? (I think I know one or two reasons why, but I think there could be some interesting dialog around this point.)

Michelle Nanouche link
1/10/2012 08:27:13 am

So glad that came up, Dave! I will speak for what it means to me here - that is, why I think we do it. but I would love to know what the Mary Baker Eddy library would find in the archives as to the original reasoning behind it.

I just always did it, never really thinking about the whys. Then a friend shared that one Communion Sunday, she had forgotten that she was going to need to kneel during the service. (For those who go to churches where kneeling is a regular thing, in Christian Science churches, it is reserved fro two special services a year.)

So, she forgot to wear pants that would have been easier to kneel in, and she wore a new pair of expensive shoes that she didn't want to crease as she knelt down. Through the service she grumbled inside about the fact that the kneeling part was coming - would she do it? was it essential? would t matter if she just stayed seated?

Then she heard something read from Science and Health - that Christian Scientists "kneel before Christ to receive more of his reappearing."

Suddenly, she felt very, very humble. All the mental fussing quieted. Would she give up her best pants and new shoes to kneel before the Christ? Absolutely!

Her experience helped me understand the precious opportunity during our Communion service to kneel in prayer. It doesn't happen enough to be routine. It happens exceptionally enough to cause us to think deeply about why we do it, and to feel the humility and tenderness and love that true communion with Christ involves.

Kim
1/10/2012 07:36:11 am

My favorite times to pray are at night, before I fall asleep, while I am on my runs, and, believe it or not, in the shower! For me, prayer is my time alone to talk with God during which I gain amazing insights and motivation. If I'm struggling with something, many times I will get the clear answer in prayer. I come out feeling refreshed and ready to proceed!

Michelle Nanouche link
1/10/2012 08:28:27 am

I am a prayer-in-the-shower girl, too! Bathtubs aren't half bad either, come to think of it! Thanks, Kim.

Tamara
1/10/2012 08:24:17 am

Prayer is to me more and more a way to see things through the eyes of God. It is a way of thinking, regardless of where I am and what I'm doing. But there are moments of the day where I can pray longer and be more focused: jogging is one of these moments.

Michelle Nanouche link
1/10/2012 08:30:55 am

I am with you on that, Tamara. I love to go in the forest when I have deep thinking to do. Especially when I all at a crossroads and want to feel divine direction. The idea of getting away from the "white noise" or "buzz" of the house to dedicate time to praying invigorates me to really listen for inspiration. Thanks so much!

Kay
1/10/2012 12:58:27 pm

Ahhh - kneel before Christ - receive more of his reappearing - perfect answer. I find myself praying more and more walking, eating, bathing, watching TV - simply because I feel the need of "his reappearing."


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    Michelle Nanouche, Christian Science teacher, spirituality, healing, prayer

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    I have practiced Christian Science professionally in
    some form since 1979.
    But my journey with
    Christian Science started
    in a Sunday school
    where as a young child
    I was taught the Scriptures and some simple basics
    of Jesus' method of
    scientific Christian healing.
    A significant experience
    at the age of twelve
    opened my eyes to
    the great potential
    of this practice. 
    After impaling my foot
    on a nail,
    I prayed the way I had learned
    in Sunday school.
    Within moments
    the pain stopped
    and healing began.
    By the next morning the wound had disappeared completely.
    Having experienced
    the great potential
    ​of Christian Science,
    there would be no
    turning back. 

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© 2011-2021 Michelle Boccanfuso Nanouche, CSB. All rights reserved.  Pages reviewed and updates 6/30/2021.