The Bible teaches us: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Trusting God often means letting go of one’s own plans, speculations, and opinions to make way for the grace and surprise of God.
“Letting go and letting God” is not about letting things slide or ignoring things. To let go of self and ego and to trust God is a discipline, I know. I sometimes think of the ten years I spent studying dance, during which there was only a handful of times when I felt I was truly able to “let go” and let the discipline of dance take over. Let me explain and then draw some analogies to healing prayer.
For years, I danced up to five days a week. We always started out with stretches on the floor, then stretches standing, then on to small phrases of movement, then to movements across the floor. It was repetitive and in certain ways contemplative. Finally, we would work on the performance piece.
After weeks, even months, of class, we performed. This was where the discipline paid off. With the spontaneous connection of a live audience, the art of dance kicked in for me. Because of the discipline of each class, I had more freedom, strength, and confidence to move, to jump, and to remember the intricacies of the steps, the stretches, the contact with the floor and with the other dancers. I was able to let go because I trusted all the things I had learned. It was freeing and empowering—the movements all connected and made sense! The dance felt truly inspired.
Something in that perfect coincidence of balance, grace, and energy deeply resonated with the audience—and moved them to a full round of applause!
As a Christian Science practitioner, my approach to prayer is somewhat similar to my approach to dance. I start with the study of things I know: the Bible, the Weekly Bible Lesson, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and her other writings, other inspiring articles. I read these things in order to be “stretched”—to really feel an expanding of ideas; otherwise, it would be like reading the letter without gaining the spirit.
Next, I’ll often take a new idea from what I’ve read, and relate it to my life. As I pray, I think about how this idea relates to my practice, my patients, to the world. I practice this one idea throughout the day.
When I get a call from a patient, it all comes together. The discipline of the daily work lets me yield to the inspiration of the moment. I let go of all speculation, human opinions, and fears, and I listen. I let God guide the conversation and, later, let God reveal to me what I need to know about the situation. God becomes nearer and dearer to me, and it follows that the arguments of limitation or materiality fall away. As Mary Baker Eddy writes, “If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit” (Science and Health, p. 239).
Healing happens as our status as the perfect reflection of God is revealed. That perfect coincidence of health, harmony, and abundant love being made manifest deeply resonates with me. And the whole reason for my practice is for a patient to experience this coincidence as well.
I grow in my trust of God’s supremacy, as I find I can let go more easily and trust God more readily. It is an infinite lesson that I am learning every day.
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