Q: Mary Baker Eddy said: “The divine Principle which governs the universe, including man, if demonstrated, is sufficient for all emergencies. But the practitioner may not always prove equal to bringing out the result of the Principle that he knows to be true” (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 41). Can you explain this statement?
A: For those committed to the practice of Christian Science healing, making sense of this passage in Mary Baker Eddy’s writings is foundational. In it we can find the assurance that Christian Science is dependable, even if in certain cases healing is delayed or not realized. For me, as I consider my practice, this passage is a support to honest self-examination as I consider which cases I am best prepared to help (see the Church Manual, p. 87, which gives direction as to choice of patients).
In our family we’ve had remarkably quick healings of emergency situations through scientific prayer alone: a child’s head injury after being hit by a car; a severe burn after a lamp exploded; bones realigned after a fall off a bike. Yet we have had healings that did not come as quickly.
