Series 2 - Lesson 7 - Annotation 17
Explain the truth back of Jesus' saying, "And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matt. 21:22 A.V.).
17. All good is man's now and always has been, just as all air is man's to breathe. There is a step that all of us take in order to benefit from the good to which we are heir; we must appropriate our good in consciousness first. The mental attitude of faith or expectant belief seems to correspond to the physical action of drawing air into the lungs, and faith seems to be as essential in bringing the desired good into manifestation as the physical action is in bringing air into the lungs. The act of breathing creates a vacuum which compels air to rush in. The act of faith sets up a condition, a "mental vacuum," so to speak, which compels the desired good to rush in.
The word shall is not used here in the future tense, but rather is the expression of a command which indicates conviction and certainty. In Spirit there is no time. Unrelated and unlimited ideas are conceived in spiritual consciousness, and their demand is instantly fulfilled. The conception of an idea and its birth occur simultaneously. Jesus revealed this fact in the statement, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will" (Mark 11:24). Thinking of a future time is a mark of limitation, and is nonexistent in Spirit. Man, dwelling in spiritual consciousness, delares the absolute good, and it is at once established. Jesus realized this and said: "Father, I thank thee that thou has heard me. I knew that thou hearest me always" (John 11:41-42). He translated His prayers into actual fulfillment. Man is here to learn to translate his prayers into manifestation. To do this he adds praise to prayer, knowing that praise is the great releaser of spiritual energy and power.
We must learn to abide consciously in the Father, to live in the very heart of the one Presence and Power in order to make conscious contact with this all-knowing, all-loving Father Mind. We must learn to let Spirit fill us, direct us, and express in and through us with divine intelligence and power. When we pray without ceasing, praise without ceasing, we will know instantaneous fulfillment of our own needs, for omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience will manifest through us.
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Preceding Entry: Is it God's will for man to suffer?
Following Entry: Give a concise definition of faith.
