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Show ' S-f je$y whart a L eonavd MViif, Dean .Women. fTlhere probably has been no sub---ject since man's beginning more discussed than prayer. Religionists Re-ligionists have claimed it belonged belong-ed to the spiritual world as a form of worship. Scientists not being able to classify it into formula form-ula or fact have dismissed the subject as not belonging to the scientific world. What is prayer, pray-er, and where does it belong, and to whom? According to the present status of the human race there are three kinds of prayer. The first type of prayer is petition. Begging for something wni.cn one nas not. whether it be for something to have or to be, it is asking God to give. This type of request is pseudo-prayer, and should bear the name cf petition. The second sec-ond type of prayer is the kind that brings our nation, at the President's proclamation, to its knees on Thanksgiving day in gratitude, for Thanksgiving means gratitude. It is an attribute at-tribute of the heart. Even though grateful, one can also be selfish. Gratitude is sometimes lacking in human beings and found in dogs. Today, we the American people are not as grateful for our splendid splen-did country as were the Pilgrim Fathers. "Give us. this day our daily bread," is more often "said" (Continued on. page five) THANKSGIVING PRAYER (Continued from first page) than prayed, and in how many American homes today do little children never hear a word of grace or gratitude at the beginning begin-ning of a meal. This is short measure of his rightful heritage. Gratitude is one of the courtesies of character, an amenity of the heart. It can be cultivated by always comparing your lot in life with that of someone who has less rather than more than you have. This always brings gratitude grati-tude plus contentment. However, this second type of prayer goes only half way to the heart of God, and should only bear the name of gratitude, not prayer. The third kind of prayer must include others if we wish it to ascend higher than our heads. A great and fine woman, internationally interna-tionally known, said to me once, that she prays God to help her answer prayers of others. "You would be surprised," she said to me, "how many opportunities daily come to me to answer the prayers of other folks. Somehow, Some-how, when I am thinking in terms of the needs of others I lose track of my own, and 1 grow strong when others need me to be strong." Can we really pray? Western Newspaper Union. |