People with physical, moral, mental and spiritual needs call me all day long for spiritual help with whatever problems are ailing them. Each person has a bit of a different expectation from his or her request for help.
Some are looking for deep spiritual lessons to learn and benefit from. Others are looking for quick physical fixes to their troubles, not considering whether a moral lesson needs to be learned first.
One time, when I had a person call looking for a “quick fix,” I replied, “Now it helps to understand that the application of Christian Science is not like reaching for a lotion that you apply to a sore and wait for the sore to go away.”
“Okay,” came back the response. “What is it?”
I continued, “Christian Science explains the laws of God and how to live in harmony with them. As we understand those laws better, and think and live in accord with them, we are able to defeat the underlying cause of physical suffering. It’s about moral and spiritual regeneration, which leads to physical healing.”
“Okay, I can go with that,” the man answered. And we worked together for a healthy outcome, seeking to live more in harmony with God’s laws.
The influence of medical belief is so prevalent today, that people striving to practice Christian Science often work out from the medical model and then wonder why results aren’t coming like they should. One of the common errors is to think of prayer being like a pill that one pops out of a bottle, ingests, and then is supposed to bring about a physical change.
Prayer is about bringing thought into harmony with God’s way of thinking. The effect of productive prayer is the human mind aligning with the divine Mind.
Christian Science explains how God governs the universe spiritually, through divine law. As we seek, through prayer, a deeper understanding of those laws and bring our thoughts and actions into accord with them, healing happens.
Successful prayer is not so much like a lotion that you apply to a physical wound, but an improved way of thinking that you adopt and apply to your way of life.
True Evan! I am very grateful that there is only one Mind or consciousness. Yesterday evening a brother of mine mentioned that he was getting confused if the work he started to do, and after a several days pause, wondered if it is right for him to continue. I invited him and we listened to a Christian Science article by Bicknell Young and read by Murray Davis, a recorded lecture found at Christian Science.com, entitled ONENESS. I prayed “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.” Then came the message that what he was wanting to get, the reason why he was working , is already a present reality but as Christ Jesus taught and did himself “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” Also one needs to be willing to first to be conscious and do what God desires before any want. It is blessed this way. I too am benefited by the same message which is similarly pointed out in your blog. Thanks again Evan.
Teresa! I can’t find this, would you be able to post the link please?
Hi I would like to second the request for the link? I haven’t had success searching for it.
Thanks for this reminder. I have experienced the difference between material and spiritual “quick healing” several times. Looking for healing through prayer might need some times to become really calm inside and listen to the divine thought. But, and this makes the choice of spiritual healing so supreme over everything else, after reaching this point and finding the healing idea inside all the work, the problem or desease is being destroyed immediately and resistantly – not just little better as with the pills.
May our way of struggling and working out even needs weeks, we are all the time on it protected, under the palm of His hand.
Over all stands the healing as a fact, the problem appears as a shadow infront of the upcoming light.
Great, thank you Evan. I have found that a physical healing is really a spiritual revealing. The revealing is the important part, and the healing is the added thing.
I Don’t have any problem with all other kinds of healing such as; FINANCIAL, RELATIONSHIPS, FINDING LOST SUBJECTS, ETC. but I do have problems with the physical and have to rely on materia medica.
It’s step by step at times, but keep growing in your understanding that you are a body of Spirit, not a body of matter, and your spiritual individuality will become more and more tangible to you.
Prayer is about bringing thought into harmony with God’s way of thinking. The effect of productive prayer is the human mind aligning with the divine Mind.
Love this article, Evan. So right on! That is the joy of Christian Science hearings! There is mortal and spiritual enlightenment and growth, and the result of this transformation is the “righting” of the human situation. I recently had the most amazing healing: a speedy turn around from a bad case of food poisoning, and then realized a few days later I was totally free of a long standing coffee addiction (not just a cup now and then but several to get jump started in the morning!). It is so freeing to not have that habit hanging around anymore! Thank you for your gift of this blog.
That is a super healing Grace! Thanks for sharing.
Evan, the last few lessons you have shared have been very helpful. I love reading your lesson and reading the comments. With all our periodicals, blogs and internet offerings ,plus our daily lessons I may one day get it. I really am trying. Matter does it’s best to hold us hostage. To gain confidence and understanding in God is my primary goal.
Sorry for this late post, but I’m behind in my blog reading.
For those wanting the link to the Oneness lecture mentioned by Teresa, it can be found here:
http://www.christiansciencect.org/lectures.php
It’s in two parts.
I can’t vouch for the accuracy or integrity of this web site, so use at your own risk. I’ve just got a lot of experience doing web searches so I thought I’d provide it to those that wrote that they were unable to find it for themselves.
Thanks for that explanation!!