When the original edifice of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, was dedicated, Mrs. Eddy included the following prayer in her dedicatory message: "Divine presence, breathe Thou Thy blessing on every heart in this house. Speak out, O soul! This is the new-born of Spirit, this is His redeemed; this, His beloved. May the kingdom of God within you,—with you alway, —reascending, bear you outward, upward, heavenward."Pulpit and Press, pp. 10, 11;
As one contemplates the pure Christly desire of this unselfed woman as revealed in this prayer, he must realize that it was no wonder that people who listened to her sermons felt the healing power of her compassionate love. And surely her reputation as a healer must have drawn many people to the churches when she preached. They must have hopefully expected healing. Nor were they disappointed, for records show that many people were healed when she preached.
Members of Churches of Christ, Scientist, fully expect that those who attend their services will feel the transforming power of Truth and receive great blessings. Therefore they pray lovingly for the whole congregation, knowing that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."James 5:16; Recognizing that Christ-healing was the very foundation on which Jesus established his church, they know they must follow his example and see their churches functioning as places where the healing Christ is palpably present to bless all.
