Prayer is the positive consciousness of God's presence, power, and love. When I have prayed in this way, healings have been evidenced for me over a period of many years.
My first healing in Christian Science was of a hard growth that appeared on my neck. At the suggestion of one of my mother's friends I went to a Christian Science practitioner. In two days, much to my amazement and joy, the growth had completely disappeared. My mother was greatly impressed with this healing because our family had always been in bondage to medical theories. It was seldom that a month passed without someone in the family going to a doctor for advice or treatment. The Sunday following my healing, my mother and I attended a Church of Christ, Scientist, and soon we both became students of Science.
I was healed of a severe case of blood poisoning, from which my whole head had become badly swollen. When false pride was overcome, this healing was complete. Influenza, colds, tonsillitis, earache, a crushed finger, and other ailments have been healed in my experience, and I have witnessed many beautiful healings in our family. I was freed from the tea and coffee habits when I reasoned that if Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy was a divine revelation, then everything in it should be obeyed. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 462 of Science and Health, "Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every statement, and advance from the rudiments laid down." This statement made me realize that here was one thing I could do: I could certainly say "No" when offered stimulants of any kind. This stricter sense of obedience has brought greater blessings.
