Zimbabwe

[Peter J]

Hi everyone - how are people praying about Zimbabwe? I've been keen to keep track of the events that have been unfolding in the past few weeks, and it seems like the people really need the support of our prayers.

I've been acknowledging the one true government - that of God, and looking to see all the officials of the different parties as obedient to Him, and expressing His intelligence. This guides them to find right, peaceful solutions, and destroys the tyranny of hate and fear.

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.

[Bokkie]

My dearest friend lived in Zimbabwe (then it was Rhodesia) for most of his childhood. I had the privilege of staying there for 3 months before we left the country 22 years ago. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people. I read the news this morning that 70 tonnes of weapons ordered from China are in South Africa, enroute to Zimbabwe as I write. I've been praying to know that Mugabe and his team are very loved, are also God's beloved children - with the same need for our Mother-Father God's love - the same hearts beat and hunger for comfort and security. Only God can fill all hearts. My friend said sadly, that the dictator should be "taken out". I reaffirmed my prayer for all the people of Zimbabwe... that they are all the beloved children of God. I am so glad that I was able to quickly share this truth with my friend too. 18-4-08; Australia.

[Peter J]

Those are good thoughts, Bokkie. I was heartened to hear that the South African unions have refused to unload and transport the shipment of weapons that you speak of, and the ship has had to leave harbour.

[Laurie]

The story of the Chinese weapons ship being turned away from harbours is so upbeat. In fact it sort of parallels the fall of the Berlin Wall in Christmas 1989 (I think that was the date) where normal hard working people with no real political agenda finally got fed up and said "enough is enough". In the case of the Berlin Wall, Germans brought down the Berlin Wall with candle light and Christmas Carols

In the case of the Chinese weapons ship, normal hardworking employees are saying "enough is enough" and not offloading the ship.

[Peter J]

Hi again. No doubt you've all seen that the presidential election results have finally been released, indicating the need for a second round of voting between the two sides.

I think our prayers are especially needed now, as it will take a great deal of courage on behalf of the opposition politicians and supporters to contest this run-off, given the context of violence over the last few weeks (as of writing no decision had been made yet by Tsvangirai whether to stand).

We can also pray to see that those in the ruling party express humility and integrity, showing restraint and respect for the will of the Zimbabwean people, should they go to the polls a second time.

[E100]

Anyone interested in Zimbabwe may be interested in the religious article in today's Christian Science Monitor. It focuses on the situation in Zimbabwe. You can find it on this site too; here's a link: For Progress in Zimbabwe (http://christianscience.com/blogs/articles-monitor/for-progress-in-zimbabwe/).

[mhnlm]

It is natural and commendable to be moved by the news of the plight of others, and wish to “do something.”
We are familiar with the “Two great Commandments”:

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

One thing that it is important to keep in thought while studying the Scriptures or the Textbook, are the passages:

“ But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

And:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 )

The acknowledgement that these teaching have to do specifically with the “things of the Spirit,” indicate that the familiar, personal way of thinking about the terms and instructions needs bit of consideration.

First, “Great Commandments”:

Normally, one would read that and agree, and then begin to “try to do that” -- (and often be frustrated when encountering a particularly nasty appearing neighbor!)

Whereas, if “Spiritually discerned,” it can be seen almost in the light as if a “trick question” -- If one “loves God” with ALL -- “heart, soul, mind” -- how much could that leave for one’s neighbor or one’s self?

Herein we may appreciate the definition of “Prayer” by Mrs. Eddy:

“a spiritual understanding OF Him, an unselfed love.” (S&H 1:3-4)

Indicating that Prayer is the activity OF Divine Mind, which has no sense of “another self.”

This is underscored as she further emphasizes that Jesus’ prayers:

“were deep and conscientious protests OF Truth, “ (S&H 12:13-14)

Indicating that they weren’t “to” Truth, or “about” Truth -- but from the standpoint OF, BY Truth Itself.

“It is Truth's knowledge of its own infinitude which forbids the genuine existence of even a claim to error. This knowledge is light wherein there is no darkness, — not light holding darkness within itself.
The consciousness of light is like the eternal law of God, revealing Him and nothing else.” (No & Yes 30:18-23)

She furthermore identified the “Lord’s Prayer as:

“The Lord's Prayer is the prayer OF Soul, not of material sense.” (S&H 14:22-24)

So we’re invited to reinterpret the sense of “Prayer” from the old theology standpoint of “little man worshipping Big God,” which has given the sense the sense of “a person praying up to God, and about or for “other people,” -- to that of Christian Science which has Its starting point:

“The starting-point of divine Science is that God, Spirit, IS All-in-all, and that there is NO other might nor Mind,” (S&H 275:6-8)

Here, we might even reconsider the passage:

“Desire is prayer;” (S&H 1:11)


If we acknowledge “Prayer” to be “the spiritual understanding OF Him” -- then we may challenge the popular notion that “desire” is an impulse generating in and because of persons, but rather, see it as the Divine Impulse of Truth revealing ItSelf to be Present instead of what appears humanly.

With ALL BLessings
Michael
:)

[mhnlm]

Also, for considereation:

From the recent monitor article:
"To cast out fear successfully will take a commitment to love with a Christly love—a love that sees the spiritual nature in each individual and recognizes it as the reality."

The impression can easily be gained that there are many "individuals" who have their own "spiritual nature" --
Whereas, if we think for a moment:
Are there many sunbeams with their own individual natures?
The "impression" of sunbeams is due to dust in the atmosphere (along with being viewed from an earthly standpoint)

The sunlight exists as the indivisible radiance of the individual nature of the sun.

"The sun sends forth light, but not suns; so God reflects Himself, or Mind, but does not subdivide Mind, or good, into minds, good and evil." (R & I 56:22-24)

"Man" is the indivisible expression OF God's Individuality.

"Being possesses its qualities before they are perceived humanly." (S&H 247:19-21)

Therefore, it is important to appreciate that one "casts out fear" or "heals" -- NOT by starting with, and looking at, the "fear" or "sickness" one hopes to "cast out" -- but by starting from and staying with "the oneness and the allness of divine Love;" (S&H 424:25-26)

As Mrs. Eddy asserted:

"When I have most clearly seen and most sensibly felt that the infinite recognizes no disease, this has not separated me from God, but has so bound me to Him as to enable me instantaneously to heal a cancer which had eaten its way to the jugular vein.

An incontestable point in divine Science is, that because God is All, a realization of this fact dispels even the sense or consciousness of sin, and brings us nearer to God, bringing out the highest phenomena of the All-Mind.” (Unity of Good 7:8-12,22-25)

Which may be another way of saying:

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
The life is more than meat, and the body [is more] than raiment.
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?” (Luke 12:22-26)

If the counsel is “no thought for your life," and the recognition that one could not do “that thing which is least” -- of what benefit would it be for “others”?

To remember that Jesus’ statement:

“I can of mine own self do nothing:” (John 5:30 )

Was not just “pretty poetry” -- but a statement of fundamental Law, which therefore, applies equally to all -- removes the false sense of “personal responsibility” that often accompanies the traditional form pf prayer.

As we appreciate that there are NOT two universes, that One, Infinite Life indicates only one KIND of Life, the notion that we are in the business of “fixing up what the Creator has allowed to run amok,” begins to fade in the joyous acknowledgment:

“I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else.” (Isaiah 45:5-6)

Might, in fact, be the most “effective prayer”

With ALL Blessings
Michael
:)

[Lulu333]

Michael --

You wrote:

From the recent monitor article:
"To cast out fear successfully will take a commitment to love with a Christly love—a love that sees the spiritual nature in each individual and recognizes it as the reality."

The impression can easily be gained that there are many "individuals" who have their own "spiritual nature" --

But the author of that Monitor article wrote "sees the spiritual nature" (singular) not the spiritual natures (plural).

I've definitely had nice healings when I've focused solely on God and who He/She is, but I don't think that relieves me of the responsibility to pray for my neighbor. I feel like Mary Baker Eddy set up the Monitor so that we could pray effectively for our neighbors who don't live in our vicinity. Besides, it's just living the Golden Rule and that's pretty key to a happy life for everyone.