A woman telephoned a Christian Science practitioner one night to report that she had terrible pain in her body; that she was unable to retain any food; that she couldn't even think because she felt so bad. She asked for treatment in Christian Science. Certainly she wanted to be rid of the debilitating pain. But she also wanted to feel God's healing presence, His all-embracing love, in which there is no pain and no fear. As a result of the treatment, or prayer, the woman soon fell into a restful sleep, and in the morning she woke up perfectly well. Her body was functioning normally, her appetite returned, and she was completely free of pain. Her family rejoiced with her over this decisive healing.
How would a practitioner pray in such a case? Not by trying to manipulate the patient mentally to get rid of physical pain; not by admitting disease to be a solid, material condition. Instead the healer would realize that the trouble confronting the patient was a misconception of the nature of man, not a fact. A practitioner firmly holds to the true nature of God and man, understanding that because pain and disease are no part of the one, perfect God, they are no part of His creation. The practitioner turns completely away from the material scene and reaches out to God in prayer to see things from a higher standpoint, in accord with how God, Spirit, sees His creation—wholly spiritual and unflawed. This exposes disease as illusion. The Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, states: "Citizens of the world, accept the 'glorious liberty of the children of God,' and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs, crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being." Science and Health, p. 227
In God's presence
there is no pain,
no fear, no sickness.
