Prayer as protest

Spiritual resource to share:  power of good
 

From the civil rights movement in the 60’s to the falling of the Berlin wall to recent events in Egypt and the Middle East, prayer is oftentimes the muscle behind the movements that have blessed mankind. However,  sometimes prayer is  portrayed as a tool for dominating others or even just simply  wishful thinking. 

But Mary Baker Eddy wrote that “Desire is prayer… ”  Our deepest desire  is prayer that goes beyond material comforts and personal recognition to the spiritual – our desire to realize  our innate freedom, joy, intelligence, love and productivity.  For that reason, prayer is a protest against anything that would undermine the expression of those spiritual ideals.

Christ Jesus’s healing works were based on  his "...humble prayers (that) were deep and conscientious protests of  Truth,--of man's likeness to God and of man's unity with Truth and Love. ”

This conversation (below) played out on my facebook wall talking about the situation in Madison where tens of thousands of protesters are fighting against a controversial bill regarding collective bargaining rights and unions.  It speaks of the fears and hopes of many:

W: As the subtitle of the Christian Science Monitor article explains, the union protesters are "defending their most cherished ideals. " As history shows us, that takes more than prayer. Jesus himself did far more than praying. Oh, but I wish mere praying would solve the problem. I am quite frankly, scared. Perhaps I'm scared because I know too much (Ph.D. in political science, J.D. in law). Very scared 

P: As far as protest and prayer, I think that true protest IS a prayer and is really nothing without it; anger has absolutely nothing to do with it. Clearly there is great need for reform in many areas and these are all opportunities to come together in the spirit of Love and unity to work these things out... that's the spirit I'll be going to the protests in tomorrow :)

K: W, I'm so glad to be connecting with you again! You got me thinking about prayer. To me, there is no such thing as mere prayer. Prayer (going beyond denomination) is aligning thought with the power of Love, of Truth and of Principle. Thought imbued with this prayer is the basis for all actions that have brought peaceful, productive and progressive results.

Fear, blame, power struggles, frustration and posturing will not accomplish anything of substance.  (Have they ever?)

Our deep and conscientious protests of Truth can affirm the power of good and affirm every person’s ability to reflect integrity, humility and love for our fellowman.  That is power.  And that is the foundation for a solution that will be a blessing.