By: Elaina Simpson, C.S.
What?! How in the world do I lack nothing!? In spiritual prayer, we contradict the lie of lack by replacing those mental suggestions with helpful thoughts that represent the true spiritual reality. We can mentally shut out looming suggestions of lack, and allow prayer to fill our thought with Good, God's allness. There's an old Christian Science lecture where the speaker said, "The Mind of God and you could conceive of no less than inexhaustible plenty at all times." Mind (and you) are coupled together here since we are completely at one with Mind, and with infinite Supply/Good. Although we are not a god ourselves, we do express God, are at one with God, and are at one with divine Love. Understanding this helps shift our perspective from limitation to spiritual supply, resulting in an abundance experience.
Those who study Christian Science prayerfully work to see that our supply comes from God, Love. God being Love is equivalent to having an infinite supply of health, peace, joy, abundance, harmony and understanding.
We demonstrate our God given supply in our gratitude; When we pay our bills, give to others, and give gratitude for all of the good. Under the marginal heading "Need and Supply" Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, (underlines are mine)
"In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know. We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated." (SH 323:13)
So as we demonstrate what we know, where do we start in prayer? One doesn't have to pray 'out of' lack (from an outlook of imperfection), but one can shift their perspective to see the consistent, permanent Good that already is-- Reflected in perfect supply.
God gives his creation the wisdom to demonstrate this in thoughtful prayer... (underlines are mine)
"Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil."
(SH 571:16–18)
Supply is the evidence of God's perfect goodness. Our prayer turns things to thoughts, and lifts thought from limited matter to inexhaustible, spiritual ideas. For example, while the quantity of a 2 dollar bill might be limited in our purse or wallet (or maybe we don't have any in there at all!), the idea of the number 2 is something that others are thinking about and using all across the globe in an unlimited quantity. Seeing our things as ideas, is a helpful thing to do. It's not materially manifesting or adding things to our experience, but it's about allowing Love's goodness to unfold in our experience. Our supply cannot be measured with matter or a material bank account. We only see true supply by looking straight to God, Good. Mrs. Eddy's example, in addition to numerous Bible stories, teach that we don't have to pray to change our experience, but to be a witness to our oneness with Mind-- and that's right now, and all in thought, not in matter.
We demonstrate this supply in our gratitude for all the good that's going on right now, not later. Mrs. Eddy writes... (Again, underlines are mine)
"Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." (SH 3:22)
All day long, looking to matter, we may see all the things we lack. But spiritually challenging this lie, we can say with confidence, "I lack nothing." That is, because one cannot lack God, Good. Good consists of health, peace, joy, abundance, supply, love, grace, freedom...etc. Lack is really only a suggestion that Good can be hidden. Sometimes this claim is masked by comparison, discouragement, insecurity, or fear. But, in diligent prayer, we find that false suggestions (the opposite of how God made man) naturally fall away. I sometimes ask myself, Could God ever be hidden? It may seem that way sometimes, but that's a signal to shift our thought onto God and what Good is doing.
Holding to the allness of God as we put "into practice what we already know" (citation above), we see with certainty that there is never a legitimate explanation, excuse, or justification for error/lack of supply. The lie of lack is nothing and has no power to rule one's thinking.
"I lack nothing." Is a helpful idea from Psalms 23.
Why do we lack nothing?
Because Christian Science teaches us that God loves His creation, and that includes you.
Have a great evening,
Elaina
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