Thank you Michelle for this lift on prayer. How important is prayer? It is the very first chapter in our textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Prayer is where everything worthwhile starts. Mrs. Eddy says,"Desire is prayer: and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires," Further she says, "...Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and conscientious protests of Truth," Prayer is action!

When I sit down at my desk to study, I take books from my shelf. Right now I count 16 books on my desk, which will eventually need to go back on the shelf. Every day begins this process anew, and every day at the end of the day I need to put the books back on the shelf. Even when I am sitting at my desk all day, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., I know that this is only a temporary place while I study. Then I am ready to do other things. These other things may include taking are of animals, our companion thoughts.
Mrs. Eddy says, in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "God is the Life, or intelligence, which forms and preserves the individuality and identity of animals as well as of men." (page 550.) And she gives the marginal note for this section; "Deep-reaching interrogations."

So beautiful! Thank you, Michelle, for this inspiring story!

"When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret" Matt. 6:6
To me Jesus didn’t mean a closet but a private place where we feel free enough to listen to God.
Just like a kitty might chose always the same corner in the back yard, we could chose our room or our house tree. Any place we chose for consistent daily prayer plants our feet on the rock of God’s Love for each one of us and provides a refuge from doubt and fear.
Great place to be before making any decision!

ESPAÑOL
"Cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cuando hayas cerrado la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto" Mateo 6:6
Para mí, Jesús no quiso decir un armario sino un lugar privado donde nos sentimos lo suficientemente libres para escuchar a Dios.
Al igual que un gato podría elegir siempre el mismo rincón en el patio trasero, nosotros podemos escoger nuestra habitación o nuestra casita en el árbol. Cualquier sitio que elijamos para oraciones diarias consistentes plantan nuestros pies sobre la roca del Amor de Dios por cada uno de nosotros y ofrece un refugio de la duda y el temor.
¡Qué gran lugar para estar antes de tomar cualquier decisión!

Oh what a lovely lift. And yes, what a wonderful reminder for me to always return to my slab, or spiritual consciousness as my home base. Thank you

"Slab time!" I love it! The illustrations are creative, too! Thx

Prayer is the cat's meow!

Very cute. I have a new street kitten -- Suzette -- who has chosen my front "slab" as her safe place. I'll think of the "slab time" reminder each time I see her. Thanks :-)

Thanks so much... slab time needed right now! Love the visual and the ideas.
Thank you!

I'm passing this one around Michelle. Who can't relate to kitty's 30 second redesign? Did you do the illustrations too?

Dear Michelle, What a beautiful and sweet parable to encourage us all to take time, generous time for prayer, to consult with God every day and every hour!

What a wonderfully illustrated message!

My cat Tisha, regularly comes in early every morning from her night long patrols to her "pad", which is my lap. I believe she enjoys the mental atmosphere while I study the Christian Science Bible Lesson. She has always been well behaved in the house, but prefers the outdoors most of the year.
Her tail was badly bent short as a kitten before I adopted her. I've noticed since she matured that
her tail has grown several inches, which makes me feel good. Thanks for the visuals this morning.
They are delightful, and I look forward to reading all the pet owner comments.

A delightful spiritual lesson. Thank you!

I just love the idea of the kitty having a safe place from where she can view the world and also plan her next little adventure. I have a sweet cat that has a favourite chair and whenever there is a loud noise she runs to this place where she knows she'll be safe. She also loves to sit with me while I'm listening to the daily lesson and I'm certain she feels the same love and protection from hearing the Truth that I do.

I loved this, and such a simple example to share with others. The illustration work helped too, a lovely way to start the week! Thank you.

What a truly delightful start to the week you have given us, Michelle! Thank you so much - the image of that little cat will stay with me, reminding me to touch base frequently for prayer.
I will share this with others.

Thank you very much!

Many thanks Michelle for this very cute kitty video. Yes. "Everything we do can start with prayer." "Our God is Love, unchanging Love,/ And can we ask for more?/ Our prayer for Love's increase is vain;/ 'Twas infinite before." (Christian Science Hymnal #269).

Just Gorgeous! Thank you!

what a nice daily-lift. It's so useful and I send it to some friends,which have a cat, hoping they'll use the lesson from your cat and have joy with it. Dorette from Hamburg

Wow 15 comments already and this just came into my inbox! I decided to enjoy it before bed. I must echo other comments - this Lift is delightful. Yes, prayer is home base. Thank you!

Prayer is home, home is the base of operation for activity, for dialogue w our God, for prayer, though "not the boundary" for expanding our thought (S & H)

Thx Michelle

Thank you, Michelle, for your very lovely and so practical Lift; and for me it is very comforting.

Thank you Michelle for a great Lift. Yes I have given myself some slab time today, and the result was immediate. One of my favorite hymns says "Prayer is the heart's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed; so whether we say it out loud or just quietly in thought, if it is a sincere desire, we may be sure Love will answer that prayer. the hymn is no.284 in the Christian Science hymnal. I liked the visuals too !

If we live a life of prayer, If we look to God in prayer, He will answer EVERY prayer,/God is present everywhere. (- emphasis mine - Christian Science hymnal 341). Thank you.

Thank you for this lovely lift. It is both simple and true. We are all at home when we turn wholeheartedly to God in prayer.

Hello Friends! No, I am not the illustrator. That would be Erik Scheel from the Board of Lectureship. I, too was surprised and delighted by his drawings! Cats and prayer are a winning combination, and give every day a spirirual "lift", I find. Thanks for all your helpful, dear comments.

A little humour goes a long way. Thanks for the slab time tip. It's a great one. We don't have a cat but a little dog, who definitely loves to hang out with us at Lesson time, preferably right on top of the Bible if possible. Prayer has always been very effective for him.

Thanks for that lovely thought of the prayer-based spiritual "take-off"-ramp!

So, we can always and everywhere ( thanks #26) be ready for our spiritual "take-off" - with grand flights, explorations, experiences and safe landings.

Dear Michelle, I tried to make a comment in your mother-tongue after I had listened to your Lift there! I addressed you as 'Nanouche' - that's how I think of you when I see your name, your photo, and hear your voice: I don't know why!! Thank you again for the insightful analogy with 'cat' and the lesson she gives to us. Yes, we certainly are, in Science, instinctively praying 'without ceasing' as St Paul exhorts us: it is our native air and Life-link; a definite lifter-up from the mortal dreams of fretful, anxious thought. With much love and gratitude!

I forgot to mention, be sure to watch past the credits to the very end for the last surprise! ;)

Evidentemente los animales nos dan muchas muestras de bondad y afecto en este caso según entiendo se refiere a tener un lugar determinado como refugio, y nosotros también lo tenemos en realidad cada uno busca un refugio un lugar desde donde comunicarse con Dios, el aposento del espíritu, y allí tener comunicación con ´Él y encontrar como el gato un lugar donde sentirnos seguros, lejos del mundanal ruido y en paz, oyéndolo.

Hay millones de ejemplos, la Biblia los contiene, Cristo nos brindó muchos y el principal es el que nos dice que busquemos a Dios y también nos dice como encontrarlo, y como permanecer en el, para sentirnos seguros, en el lugar santo de Dios, a solas con Él.

Muchas gracias, por recordarlo Michelle, es bueno recordar que tenemos un lugar seguro junto a Dios y que podemos hacerlo nuestro.

Thanks for the slab and creative delivery this morning . . . . just the reassurance I needed to turn a dark, cold and rainy morning into the warm, cozy peaceful place that prayer brings.

Thank you . What a great way to start our day and week.

Thanks Mi belle! Love it!!!

Sure makes me think of Hymn 293
"Rock of Ages, Truth divine,
Be Thy strength forever mine;
Let me rest secure on Thee,"
And later,
"Christ, the Truth, foundation sure,
On this rock we are secure;
Peace is there our life to fill,"

And of course.. S&H “God gives the lesser idea of Himself for a link to the greater,..” which certainly explains the purpose of our furry.. or even muddy little friends. I am always amused (after the fact) when they think they need to lead us to adjust the importance of drapes, lamps and new sports equipment!

Thank you Michelle! Prayer is our home base!

Wonderful for sharing, thank you so much - here's to kitties in space - I love it.

What a charming reminder of our Mother-Love's constant care and guidance. Thanks for the video and audio; I've enjoyed them both. Gary, #13, had the same experience that I did -- a cat realizing the special mental atmosphere we can feel while studying. One I adopted had bad experiences before coming to me, and it took me literally three years to coax her out from behind the furniture. It started while I was reading the Lesson. She liked to come and be near me then.

Sometimes when my cats were not well, I read that portion of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy that presents as a court trial the way the Christ, Truth, defends our innocence in the face of sickness and all serious problems (pages 430-442). This trial shows triumph over illness and problems, and the ultimate triumph of good, God. My cats were healed as I realized how good and caring our Father-Mother God always is.

Many thanks for a beautiful "Lift" and reminder to stay in touch with 'The Source' of all good.

Thank you, Michelle, for “Lessons from a cat … the slab … prayer and how it can help us feel grounded and safe … everything worth knowing and doing can spring from prayer …” Your Lift inspired me to look into Science and Health (15) under the chapter, “Prayer” to find and share this: “In order to pray aright, we must enter into the closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and silence the material senses. In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God's allness. We must resolve to take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love. We must 'pray without ceasing.' Such prayer is answered, in so far as we put our desires into practice. The Master's injunction is, that we pray in secret and let our lives attest our sincerity.” This and the visual of a cat on a slab preparing to spring forth into new adventures, works for me. Just purr-fect! :-) Thanks again, Michelle.

A very delightful and creative video - thanks so much, Erik. And thank you, Michelle, for the thoughtful message - they both fit together so beautifully. A great way to start the day and the week on my pad of prayer.

Love the presentation and the message! Cats are so receptive to our thoughts and prayers. My cat's morning routine is to sit on my lap while I read the Bible Lesson first thing. When I don't sit down fast enough, he lets me know it!

Also love the very end of the video after the credits!

The dog next door decided she was going to eat me, and out of my mouth I heard "You're a perfect spiritual idea!" And that whole drama ended with a very ashamed dog trotting off up the hill to its own home. Later, when Albert decided he wanted to play rough I remembered the dog next door, and said "Albert, you're a perfect spiritual idea!" and that aggression was simply not there. Albert, being not yet three, has needed to be reminded of this on occasion, but the effect is instantaneous:a calm and compassionate grandcat.
Many thanks to you, Nate, and your production team; the lecturers; and Your Daily Lifting family.

The very last scene, after the credits, reminds me that "Heaven is harmony, -- infinite, boundless bliss." (My. 267)
Thank you, Michelle, for this upLIFTing Daily Lift. And thank you, artists.

I always start my day with "Slab Time".....and oh what a differants it makes!

Thank you. How comforting to know we have a safe home place, that of prayer. I can liken this to the fact that our rather young dog seems to love being in his crate where he is safe and secure. What a comfort. Great analogy. Thank you.

Lovely message, and thanks to everyone for this visual enhancement--the whole lift is very specail.

Alan from Boston
This is delightful, insightful, and entertaining. Many thanks Michelle.

everybody has said everything! thx vivian

Perfect !! Thank you so much for a simple, yet very worthwhile message. I'll be thinking of that cat all day long and going back to my slab time often.

Interesting how we all have our "slabs"--call it our home, our favorite chair, whatever--the ideas of comfort, safety, stability, and goodness are invariably the association. It's that connection with God that makes it our haven. What a wonderful idea Michelle to pray when we go to that spot. Desire is prayer and in a less direct way, by simply heading for the spot we are already praying for the goodness associated. #2 Robert, I loved how you called pets our companion thoughts. And #44, Margaret, "perfect spiritual ideas" certainly puts God's presence there for the animals, replacing the mortal lies that falsely existence. That's wonderful too. I loved the humor of the cat flying around inside the house. I've experienced that too--literally bouncing off the walls. Thanks again for a great lift and for y'all who shared your thoughts. This is simply the best way to start the day!!

Michelle, Thank you, that was equally adorable and useful as a reminder as to where and in whom we are truly based! I will put in more "slab time". And thanks to kitty.....her 30 second redecoration turned into a valuable lesson for all of us.

Thank you so much, this has helped me a lot with what I've been dealing with recently.

I love Mrs Eddy's chapter on PRAYER it is my favorite! Thank You!

A Christly thought - many thanks to you (and the illustrator!).

I will listen to-day to discern others' similarly restfully praying, as well, throughout the day.

That is a beautiful illustration. This summer the midwest were having drought conditions, homeless animals had to fend for themselves. A few times I saw cat going down the sewer, apparently looking for water. After hearing this inspirational message, I look at the sewer as 'the closet of prayer for the cat', a refuge and hope for a need that I am sure was met. Divine love meets every need. Thank you Michelle and daily lift team.

This is so cute and so moving. Thank you !

This is so cute and brings the message right into my heart. Whether our 'slab time' is outside enjoying our fall days or inside out of the cold weather it's a special time to listen and hear God's messages of good.
Thank you so much for these wonderful Lifts, and much appreciation to Nate and his crew and all who provide us with these blessings.

That was great! Thanks so much!

Hooray! for little cat looking "outward from the stars" instead of up at them! Slab-time = launch pad.

Every explorer learns quickly the first thing on your to do list must be to establish your base camp (Prayer).
The second thing is equally important; you must remember where it is and how to get back to it.

As we reach out to new adventures, those who rely on prayerful guidance understand it is not a fixed earthbound place or location. Prayer is portable, a spiritual compass we carry with us and can refer to anytime or place. It is our North Star helping us find our bearings and maintain our direction.

Like a snail which carries his home with him, we are never lost in God’s universe.

A powerful message presented in such a precious way! After reading the "Lift" I ran to my slab and STAYED there as long as needed to hear the answer to my prayer. Lately I've been jumping off the slab too soon to chase after distracting events around me. What an important lesson! Thank you!

Thank you for this reminder to take the "slab time" we need to live prayerful lives.

What a great way to remind us to pray . . .

Thank you. I like that.

Let me add my thanks for this prayerful reminder. I listened and watched the video and then just listened again. Good message and I, too, am off to my slab (recliner) for some quiet time...Warmest wishes,

Thank you for the CAT STORY this morning. I needed it....My SLAB dweller hasn't
been there for over a week. My prayers have PROTECTED P J I am SO SURE. When
he didn't come back in last Sunday eve, I just PUT him in God's Hands, as Ginny L.
said last week in her LIFT, "He's Got the WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HAND'S" and that
sweet song I haven't thought about for years RE-MINDS us WHERE we ALWAYS are,
doesn't it?

I've taken all the USUAL "FIND THE CAT" human footsteps, and look for P J to be in his rightful place on the slab waiting for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with all
the treats in between. He's very long haired, so he is warm in the Fall air, it's his
time for adventure, and God will lead him to his RIGHTFUL home, yes, he's at home
in God as we all are, but he does belong right back here with us. Everyone please help him get his GPS straight. GOD PLACING SERVICE, directing him home to us.

GOD GOT THERE FIRST, wherever he is exploring, and He will direct him back to
us. LOVE THESE LIFTS...It's reaching all over the WORLD, "WHAT CANNOT GOD DO?"
P J find his way back. I have had many cats and they sometimes take a VACA and
return in a few days. "NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME" to return I think.

I do most of my praying at night while every one is sleeping. This is my closet. This is where Mortal Mind cannot interfere with it's negative thoughts. Like mama cat teaching baby cat on the slab, night time is my slab.

Thank you! Pray without ceasing!

What a delight, thanks so much Michelle. Glory Bee and JuneBug encourage me, as they are doing now, to get on the sofa with our Lesson. They like to sit behind me on the sofa back and wrap their tails around me. I like the idea of a special prayer spot. Thanks for all the comments. I'll come back later in the day for more.

Thanks, Michelle,

My daughters regularly listen/watch the Daily Lift, but today's was special for some of them who are "cat people." I included my granddaughter in my forward, too, since she reads the lesson each morning with all of us on a "gotomeeting" (visual and audible) site. Being prayer-based is so important for all of us.

An aside: If anyone hasn't explored the possibilities of the various conference/meeting sites on the Internet, please do. They are wonderful resources for both staying in touch with fellow Scientists and reaching out to the world.

Sweetness and simplicity, the message of Love from our Father. Thank you!!!! ps My six cats say thank you too!!!!! And indeed they all love when I study Christian Science...we have our own little Cat Church of gratitude here at Willow House. Thank you , Merri

The tenor of this dear Lift reminds me of a saying by the founder of The Principia: "You can be deeply in earnest and at the same time spiritually lighthearted." This Lift touched me in this way, lifting my thought while causing the day's first smile to spread across my face.

"Everything--but everything--worth knowing and doing can spring from prayer." Amen! :) and that last image of Baby unlimited in the heavens . . . purrfect! :) Now, off to my slab for more uplift with this week's Bible Lesson.

All hail to the Slab! -- Thanks, Michelle.

My heart is still soaring, right along with the cat. Thank you - that was a bit beyond wonderful and such a great way to start my day.

To Gwen (68). I am always knowing that "All God's creatures moving in the harmony of Science are harmless, useful and indestructible." (I am not sure where this CS quote comes from.) Your dear pussy cat must always be in its right place, God knows exactly where PJ is. Nothing can be lost in Mind. I always put my little cat into the ark every morning and keep her there all day. You can do the same right now. I will pray to know that God is directing PJ's "pawsteps" back to where she belongs. Our dear Father is faithful and lovingly governs all.

To Gwen (68). I am always knowing that "All God's creatures moving in the harmony of Science are harmless, useful and indestructible." (I am not sure where this CS quote comes from.) Your dear pussy cat must always be in its right place, God knows exactly where PJ is. Nothing can be lost in Mind. I always put my little cat into the ark every morning and keep her there all day. You can do the same right now. I will pray to know that God is directing PJ's "pawsteps" back to where she belongs. Our dear Father is faithful and lovingly governs all.

Suan an important message, starting from and with prayer and returning to and staying with prayer. AND thanks for all the cat stories as well.

Right on Michael #62. Nice to hear from you on this. Portable Prayer! Love it.

Wonderful message, Michelle. Thank you!!
I didn't think about it before but I literally curl up in my favorite chair for prayer time!!! So comforting!! Love to all

Gwen, #68 We had a wonderfully special cat that would tend to come and go a bit. Some time later, we learned that a neighbor (across the valley) thought that he was theirs and had a similar experience with him. He sort of trained us not to worry about him, didn't he?

I too have had a more dutiful friend disappear recently. We absolutely know that our part is to disengage suggestions of "something wrong" and realize even more that Love's home is permanently maintained for us and our friends. I know so well how effective prayer is to support others. So how wonderful that our part is a shift to what is really going on! Our home is ever provided Love. We hold to this clear understanding with you.

A sweet message wih a punch! Thank you, Michelle and each and every Lifter, and especially those who produce them.

The slab reminds me that the foundation of a house is often referred to in this way. Our foundation or right to pray effectively for healing cannot be moved, cracked or dsilodged in any way. It is our rock and brings sure help! I am often reminded to stay put with the basics: perfect God, perfect man and perfect universe.

To prepare an activity with prayer and to take a prayer rest afterwards - something our Mother God teaches us.

Thanks!!

The cat is flying through space. That is very silly. :)

Inside or outside, this precious little one never left the Kingdom of Heaven !!!

A Retreat for a group of men were asked how they prayed. When they came to a man not noted for being very religious answered "I just say thankyou, because I always have what I need." Maybe he is not religious but he certainly is spiritual. I need the "thankyou prayer" more than the petition, of what I think I need or want. Thank you God for the Lift.

What a wonderfully inspiring lift to begin another week of learning more about God and our never ending connection. We learn so much from God's precious ideas in the form of animals, which He created for His/our delight. Thank you, Michelle and Erik for this LIFT today. To GWEN #68, your precious PJ knows exactly where he is, wrapped in God's love, held in His hand, protected and guided by right ideas, knowing he is, always has been and ever will be within God's sight, feeling happy and well and loudly purring, thank you Father/Mother God! All is well!!!!
Have a beautiful week, brothers and sisters, and God's precious "furry ones",
Pura vida, caydee kittredge

This is beautiful, Michelle, thank you! So clear and the drawings so lovely.

Hi Gwen, PJ is lovingly being cared for at "home" with God and is God-directed and God-protected and in his RIGHT PLACE RIGHT NOW. He cannot be detoured away from his rightful home with you!!!!! Love is with both of you NOW!!!!

Hymn #374 - "We praise thee for thy goodness and tender, constant care,..we thank thee Father-Mother that thou has heard our prayer."

I do love this lift and since my cats are such a source of love and also inspiration, it is extra special. Both sit and read the Lesson each morning with me, which always makes me smile. But even more so this morning, I had to laugh since my closet is their "safe place" when they become frightened. I hadn't even tied that into Mrs. Eddy's sentence in Science & Health until this morning. Yes sometimes we do race for that prayer closet and its always open.

YES!!!!

Where ever we are... at our desk or the battlefield, we always have our prayer slab.
Thank You Michelle,
From my Great Gray Stray, Wolfgang
& Journey Harn

Dear Michelle, Thanks not only for your wonderful analogy of the kitten returning to the slab just as we must always return to prayer, but also for your later comment to watch for what comes past the ending credits. I realized that I had missed that great scene showing how prayer enables us to soar through life. We have a dear little cat who is very adventuresome, and sometimes I worry about him, but this lift helped me to "loose him and let him go." Also thanks to Robert(#2) for the quote from Science and Health that "God...preserves the individuality and identity of animals as well as men." These lifts and the accompanying comments are so helpful in our onward and upward journey.

I've found that true brilliance is always simple and your lift is simply brilliant. Thank you!

Thank you Michelle for this delightful daily lift, it is inspirational,informative and fun!
All best,
David

Great lesson, Michelle, I love cats and your daily lift taught so simply and yet so truthful to love and use prayer always.

Thank you, Michele. It's good to be reminded to take time for prayer. A good "slab" is the secret place of the Most High (Ps. 91) where we can always go in thought, no matter where we are during any day. Praying about conditions that don't need fixing is probably the best prayer time we could take. This is time to express appreciation for the blessings I have that don't loom up within a problem. A hundred and more times saying, "Thank you, Father, brings peace and power that add up to reduce the needs for saying, "Please". Today I can say; "Thank you" for never letting former cats pull Baby's house tour trick. This prayer time keeps me aware of blessings, and helps guard me from falling for a claim of error that begins with "Oh! Oh!". Your kitten, Baby, will be a pleasant reminder to toss out the culprit (a lie claiming to be real) when my days gets shredded and things seem knocked over in sudden chaos. I didn't get to write my comment until late, but I had sound and so got to see the video and hear the Lift early this morning. Yes, I said, Thank you" right away! That doesn't take time to type and then correct the many typos I make.

This Lift brought out not only pet stories, but beautiful, loved hymns to sing, as well. Thanks to everyone who contributed both. Thank you, Erik, for cute illustrations. #77 js's quote is on Pg. 514 in Science & Health, by Mrs. Eddy. #62 Michael, thanks for getting back to us with your insights. #68 Gwen, I'm thanking God for PJ's return.

Thank you so much for the beautiful and practical thoughts/ideas! I like the expression "slab time"!

What a fun lift! Thanks!

Wonderful - thank you Michelle!

Merci beaucoup Michelle, c'est merveilleux de savoir que toute chose autour de nous est la source d'une inspiration. Je ferais désormais attention à tout.

Thank you ALL for your SOARING THOUGHT
on the effects of Prayer!

Thank you most sincerely for a wonderful Lift, I enjoyed and felt totally inspired by it. Xxxx

Very nice... thank you so much!

Thank you, Michelle, for the adorable video and lecture!

DELIGHTFUL!!! Wonderful message and wonderfully presented. I loved it.

I had listened and watched the cute video, and have revisited this tonight. Like others, I am praying to know that Gwen's PJ is forever in his perfect place, under the care of our Ever-Present Shepherd, who is guarding and guiding him. His home is heavenly, as we know that Thy Kingdom IS come! Merci beaucoup for your lovely Lift, as all the lifts lift us. what a great blessing!
Anniegcs

Great lift !
Thanks