The Daily Duties, restated

The Daily Duties were given by Mary Baker Eddy to her students and followers as a protection against mental malpractice. As recorded by Gilbert Carpenter in Precepts V, page 200: “The only possible way by which a Christian Scientist can be loyal and faithful to God, is to daily protect himself from malpractice. Mrs. Eddy had done her best to call for such protection from students; but their indifference finally compelled her to … frame the By-law, Alertness to Duty.” All three Daily Duties are below, adapted as they pertain to each one of us.

Daily Prayer

It shall be the duty of every member of this Church [It is my duty as a member of this Church] to pray each day: “Thy kingdom come;” let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!

A Rule for Motives and Acts

Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts [my motives or acts] of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man [me, and all!]; and a Christian Scientist [I, as a Christian Scientist,] reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church should daily watch and pray [I daily watch and pray] to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously.

Alertness to Duty

It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily [I defend myself daily] against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty [I will not be made to forget nor to neglect my duty] to God, to his [my] Leader, and to mankind. By his [my] works he [I] shall be judged, — and justified or condemned.