The economy and prayer’s resuscitating power

All eyes are on the US financial system. Bank failures, buyouts, and credit tightening have headlined the news, leaving the public bewildered—even angry—and eager for answers.

In one NPR report, “Is the economic sky falling?” Chris Arnold called this a “tipping point moment” and explained that credit—between banks and then individuals—is “like oxygen to the economy” (September 30, 2008). Without this vital exchange, everyone is left gasping for air. Some on Wall Street have even said the US economy has undergone “a near-death experience.” And economies worldwide are reeling.

Even as experts debate how best to revive the ailing economy—and see their way into the future—spiritual thinkers can throw the balance of their thoughts toward a prayerful antidote. To be effective, this prayer should be specific and unyielding.

A starting point is to understand what gives life and what revives our understanding of it. Jesus was clear throughout his healing and teaching career that nothing material has the power to originate life; only God holds that power. God, as Life itself, would never create an opposite expression, death. Life is not dependent on physical structures for stability or endurance. Jesus proved the practicality of understanding this fact countless times, when he healed people, raised the dying to life, and ultimately proved the law of immortality with his own resurrection.

But death doesn’t only arise in relation to the human body. It may also appear to take hold in the bodies we call governments, financial systems, businesses, households, churches. In direct defiance of what appears to be faltering, prayer breathes new life into these entities, and serves as powerful proof that death is never the final answer. Life is ever present, even when everything argues against it. Our job is to persist in demanding to see evidence of divine Life, not the frenzy of fear, shattered confidence, or confusion. Divine Life understood provides peace, conviction (not willfulness), and intelligent action. This is also true for those rightfully concerned about their livelihood—from keeping their jobs and feeding their families to planning their retirement. Divine Life cares for each individual no matter how high or low on the economic ladder he or she may be.

The concept of resurrection—which includes renewal and rejuvenation—turns thought away from a fixation on endings to a focus on never-endings. In her work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy defined resurrection this way: “Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding.” In terms of the economy, collective thinking maintains that the constant exchange of money is the lifeline of a healthy financial system. But when we replace this concept with a spiritualized view, economic health can be seen as the constant flow of productive ideas, unobstructed by fear and robust with productivity. A “new and higher idea of immortality” reveals with increased clarity that Life’s expression cannot decline or ever be in a state of crisis.

Prophets long before Jesus’ time glimpsed this life-giving, restorative power. When Elijah encountered a widow who was preparing to make the last meal for her family and then die, he did a curious thing: he asked her to feed him first. And he said, “Fear not.” The widow’s obedience to Elijah’s request saved her family from the threat of death and opened up sources of supply that renewed themselves. Just as Elijah promised, neither her barrel of meal nor her cruse of oil became empty “until the Lord [sent] rain upon the earth.” Fearlessness, obedience, willingness to give—these qualities, combined, became the antidote to death and brought life.

Instead of relying on bank accounts and government bailouts for our stability—however much they provide some answers—we can put our trust in the divine economy. Then, what needs to end—such as the greed and dishonesty that fed the housing collapse and the credit crisis—will come to an end, replaced by revival and stability.

Instead of giving in to predictions of a deepening recession and the threat of an economic domino effect, we can know that our lives are not at the mercy of fear, but are fueled by Life itself. We can declare with conviction, “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” All who care deeply about the US economy and its healthy relationship to global financial systems can practice the prayer that destroys fear, trusts God’s unfailing provision, and restores confidence in the fact that life and the supply of good have an unshakable spiritual foundation.

We appreciate your feedback and support. Please share your thoughts and comments about this   article.
* Name:
* Email:
* Confirm Email:
Your message:
* Designates a required field. By submitting to the site, you agree to the site's Terms of Service. All submissions may be used by spirituality.com as described in the Terms of Service.

Printer friendly