Why Are Some Prayers Answered and Others Not?
Ernest Holmes

The answer to this question is not in the will of God but in the beliefs of the person praying. That which is life can will only life. That which is free can will only freedom. That which is sufficient unto Itself can will only self-sufficiency. We need not bother as to whether or not God’s will is that we shall suffer. Limitation and suffering are not imposed upon us by the Deity. They are the result of ignorance. Insofar as we express ourselves rightly, in accord with the Divine harmony, the Divine Self goes forth anew into expression through us; we are avenues through which God comes more completely into fruition.

When we pray amiss, it is not that we pray for individual good, but it is that the prayer contradicts the Universal Good, the Divine Harmony….We must arrive at the conclusion that the Universe is not against us; we are against ourselves.…There are times when our prayers are in accord with reality and that prayer is going to be answered. If one embraces these three concepts—the unity with Good, the belief in Good and receptivity to it, and the mental equivalent of Good—one’s prayers will always be answered.

Every day and every hour, we are meeting the eternal realities of life, and in such degree as we cooperate with these eternal realities in love, in peace, in wisdom, and in joy—believing and receiving—we are automatically blessed. Our prayer is answered before it is uttered.

Excerpted from A Holmes Reader on Change, by Ernest Holmes, published by Science of Mind Publishing.

A Spiritual Mind Treatment for Japan
Rev. Jesse Jennings

There is one life, that life is pure Spirit, and that life is my life right now as I feel this, and write it, and as another Godling reads it and feels it. Knowing my oneness with the Infinite Mind that is the source of all things, I use Its creative law through my place in Its Mind now, directing my attention and my word along specific lines, to call into manifestation the wholeness and wellness that is present within the nation of Japan and its people.

I speak a word of comfort and deep healing about all who have suddenly moved into their next expression in this event, swept off their feet and into another world, where they feel no pain and suffer no lack. I speak this word about their families, especially the parents of children, and absolutely know that Something so beautiful and so profound and so beyond my understanding is surrounding each one of them, bearing them up with the very essence of the life-force, as they move through this time. I speak this word about all those who have lost homes, affirming that they are sheltered in Spirit, which warms and protects them as they heal and re-group. Sufficient drinking water, heat, clothing, shelter, medicine, and whatever else is needed now make their way across space and time to meet every human need.

I speak a word of power about all who are rushing in to help, that they stay strong regardless of meals, alert regardless of sleep, and centered in what they are doing no matter what may be seen or felt. These Godlings are the hands and feet of Spirit, working on behalf of all of us who are not there physically, and we hold out to them an infinite supply of focused intention and immense gratitude.

I speak a word of true clarity about all the governments and organizations involved, that brilliant ideas occur to each person therein for the best ways to do what needs to be done, and that all work together in unison doing it. I declare that a Power greater than any human agency, yet working through human minds and hands, cools reactors and disperses anything unfit to breathe. I affirm that there are revealed to be jobs for everyone, an infrastructure that works lovingly and effectively, a rebuilding of all that was destroyed, and that, like a Phoenix, this country and its beautiful people arise again in absolute glory, as their brothers and sisters around the globe celebrate having come together for the high and holy purpose of supporting them along the way.

For this knowing and its manifestation in form, I am thankful beyond words. I release this direction now, into that Mind that is both indescribably active as change and infinitely still as a serene sea, that knows what to do and how to do it, and is doing it right now. And so it is.

Love and Support for Japan

Science of Mind communities have stepped up to support our brothers and sisters in Japan dealing with mass destruction from the recent earthquake. If you would like to contribute to the Japan Disaster Relief Fund through the American Red Cross, you can make a donation by visiting www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/edward-viljoen/japan-disaster-relief.

Integration Becomes a Reality

A divine idea in the One Mind, the integrating of the branches of Religious Science took a giant leap at the recent Integration Conference in San Diego, California. Love truly did lead the way as we became one organization, Centers for Spiritual Living. To read the press release announcing the good news and watch this historic occasion click here.

The Integration Conference: A Youth Perspective
Jake Matthews

I have been to CSL conferences and events before, but certainly not on as grand of a scale as this year’s Integration Conference. At nineteen years old and having been born into the teaching, it was an honor to be sent to the conference as a delegate from my center in Temecula, California. I am currently serving as one of the three Global Youth Messengers on the CSL Youth Leadership Team. The presence of youth was important for integrating the youth voice and perspective into the organization. When I say youth, I don’t mean someone under the age of eighteen, but someone who is actively engaged in the CSL youth program. You may have noticed that I didn’t include a “U” or an “I” in front of CSL; that’s because the youth, for all intents and purposes, integrated in June 2010. The youth at the conference came from a perspective that was already a future perspective. This is representative of the overall youth consciousness in the organization, one that is both progressive in thought and in action.

This “youth perspective” is one that was obvious throughout the conference, especially during the eight-hour amendment process. During this time, I witnessed fear from both sides—a fear of losing the past and fear of how the “other side” did things. This was discouraging at first because it showed a lack of congruency with Science of Mind principles. But as the day went on, the fear started to subside, the debates got shorter, and nerves became calmer. Divine right action was at work. The consciousness of the room shifted from focusing on the differences to recognizing shared similarities. The members became so thirsty to unite and to drop the “U” and the “I,” that a shift began. I could almost see the past being released from each individual person and being lifted out of the room. That shift not only marked a turning point in the conference, but also a turning point in Religious Science. The very next day, the body of the conference voted on the documents that would solidify integration; the result was a landslide. Later that afternoon, I was moved to tears as Dr. Kenn Gordon and Dr. Kathy Hearn popped the champagne and everyone raised their glasses—mine, of course, was filled with apple cider—in honor of the new Centers for Spiritual Living. You could tell that the youth that were present were overjoyed at the fact that everyone had finally put aside their old B.S. (Belief System) and followed the example set by the youth.

However, at the end of any great journey, there begins a new one. I had the opportunity to highlight this new journey in my speech during the closing banquet of the conference. I acknowledged that we have set off a chain reaction, one that will embrace and encourage unity in the world. I also commended the organization’s belief and trust in the youth of Centers for Spiritual Living. We have ushered in a new era of the movement that will encourage young people to become more involved in the organization and make the ages of ministers and practitioners more diverse. But most important, the organization can now expand physically because it has released its attachment to the past and aligned itself with the rapidly expanding global consciousness of the youth who are leading us headfirst into the future.

Meditations and Thoughts from around the World

In the March 2011 issue, Science of Mind magazine examines the power of prayer. The Association for Global New Thought has created a powerful video of interfaith meditations on nine themes drawing from thirteen faith traditions. 

Click here to listen to these meditations.