Law without flaw

NOT long ago I had jury duty. I was one of a pool of several hundred prospective jurors selected at random from the voter registration lists of our county. The good will with which all these people from various walks of life were fulfilling this obligation impressed me. Despite inconvenience and, in many cases, loss of wages, they understood the importance of our judicial system in upholding the law, and they wanted to do their part, to the best of their ability, in helping carry out its fair administration. Some of our conversations, however, centered on inequities. Because of what appeared to be mistakes by judges, attorneys, and witnesses--even outright fraudulency in some cases--it seemed that justice had gone awry. We also spoke of the repression and injustice rampant in some parts of the world, and of the injustice of famine and poverty imposed on so many millions. Underlying our discussions was the mental cry, like that of a child, ``It isn't fair!'' Yet mankind continues to strive toward that seemingly unattainable goal of justice for all. Some instinct within us just cries out for an underlying law we can depend on, always operating without flaw. Such law does exist. The Psalmist declared, ``O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.'' 1 Christ Jesus' works were done in fulfillment of God's law. Through enlightened prayer we, too, can come to understand divine law, both as rules to be obeyed and as evidence of God's goodness and all-power. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, states, ``God's law is in three words, `I am All;' and this perfect law is ever present to rebuke any claim of another law.'' 2 As we gain an understanding of God, good, as infinite, we must of necessity conclude that His law is supreme, applicable to every situation, a law we can depend on. Just the glimmer of understanding caught by any sincere seeker of truth while reading an article such as this one, can and must have its good effect, because God's law is always in full and impartial operation. But study of the Bible and of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy, is essential to achieving consistent results. What the student learns enables him to obey God more consistently and to pray with understanding and the confidence that his prayers are effective. Students of Christian Science love the Lord's Prayer3 given us by Jesus, and they strive to understand more of its deep meaning every time they pray. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy gives as the spiritual sense of the line ``Thy kingdom come,'' ``Thy kingdom is come; Thou art ever-present.'' 4 Prayer is more than petition; it includes the acknowledgment of God's allness, coupled with the sincere, persistent endeavor to better understand and bear witness to His goodness and omnipotence. Such prayer is answered. I've seen its effectiveness in solving employment problems, improving relationships, triumphing over lack, healing sickness, overcoming effects of accidents--and often preventing their occurrence. Loving God's law as the Psalmist did, growing in our understanding of it, and bearing witness to its operation in our daily affairs, we'll be better equipped to pray effectively for our country and our world. We need not be alarmed by chaotic world conditions but can bring a measure of healing to them. And we'll see more clearly the power of prayer in the larger arena when we are proving God's allness in our own lives. God's law is flawless, encompasses all, and is fully operative now. The world is beginning to awake to this fact through spiritual enlightenment, and you and I are part of the awakening! 1 Psalms 119:97. 2 No and Yes, p. 30. 3 See Matthew 6:9-13. 4 Science and Health, p. 16.{et