As English speakers know, many words in the English language have meaning both as nouns and as verbs. For example, one can go to the store and buy a book (noun). He can also book (verb) a reservation. One can hammer (verb) a nail, or use a hammer (noun) to drive a nail.
Years ago, an experience highlighted for me the difference between the practice (noun) of Christian Science and what it means to practice (verb) Christian Science. Of course, the two are closely related, but the act of practicing came into sharper focus.
In the same city where I once worked at a Christian Science nursing facility and had been inspired to go into the practice from the healing I witnessed there, a Christian Science practitioner had an office available to those who wanted to get started in the practice. Even though I already had a full-time job, plus a responsibility at my branch church that required a commitment of time, I wanted to set aside special time to pray and study. The practitioner’s office was available for two hours every Tuesday and Thursday evening, which was perfect for my schedule. I thought it would be a good opportunity to ready myself to pray for others and spend some quiet time outside my normal daily schedule to dig deeper into the Bible and the writings of Christian Science. And it was. However, no one was calling me to pray for them.
