At what point can you end the prayer for healing?

[NancyJ]

Good Morning,

I'm new to this site, and thank you in advance for allowing me to ask questions. I look forward to your answers.

A little background: I'm not CS, but have been interested in learning about it for the past few years. I have read quite a few MBE biographies, Misc. Writings, a lot of Science $ Health, The Bible. I am Catholic, but have moved away from active involvement, primarily because I just don't agree with many of their teachings anymore. I find joy believing in God as CS understand Him.

My question is:
I know someone who suffers from mainly depression, but also anxiety. He was started on medication which brought about terrible adverse reactions and much suffering. Now he is medication-free, but in time will be trying another medicine hoping that one will help. He is only on a reprieve because his doctor is on vacation.

Yesterday I started to pray he would be healed, I kept in mind what MBE said, 'cast out error'. I prayed he would be filled with God's Love, Truth, joy, peace, etc...and depression, etc...would be displaced, or I should say the error/lie would be dissolved so to speak.
Within a very short time, the person's whole attitude, outlook, changed for the better. It was noticeable.

My question is, at what point can you let go, and know the person is healed? Esp. with an illness like depression?

Thanks!
Nancy

[Susieee]

Dear Nancy,

Your honest exploration, your compassion and care for your friend, your desire to pray and to heal - they are so inspiring and beautiful. Thank you for sharing them. :)

Prayer is the most natural response to have to anything and everything going on around us, and really, the Bible says that we should "pray without ceasing." That will have a healing effect upon everyone around us.

There is a difference between prayer and treatment in Christian Science, however. We can most definitely pray about anything and everything, but when it comes to treatment, we need to respect the wishes of those around us. We should leave them choose whatever remedy they feel is best for them - just as we hope someone would do that for us.

You can prayerfully govern your own thinking, maintain spiritually scientific thoughts about your friend, know the truth and certainty of his present perfection (however you would like to describe the process of listening to God's loving inspiration). But, be sure to leave your friend's inspiration completely to God's care. You can be finished with this case and move on to prayer in other areas when you feel at peace about this one.

In short, base your prayerful efforts on your sense of the presence of the Christ, and not so much on the physical or mental symptoms someone else is exhibiting. Let God and spiritual sense/intuition lead you and all will be well.

Much love, Susie

[Wommack]

Nancy, You asked, "My question is, at what point can you let go, and know the person is healed?"

Good question! And bless you for wanting to help another!

I have found that when I feel a deep, peaceful spiritual conviction that all is well (as God makes it and maintains it), my prayer is finished. Later, if I am lead to prayer more, I will do so.

Just as you get a satisfied sense when the dishes are completely finished, you will also feel “done,” so to speak, with your prayers.

God does not want you guessing when your prayer is complete. And His intuition and wisdom, which you individually express, can be trusted.

--Keith

[michaelp]

Dear Nancy,

I was so inspired by your message and it reminded me of how my CS practice started. I was at University, it was during the winter and many students struggled with a cold. The student sitting next to me was in particularly bad shape. I wanted to help him so much but (as Susie said) it would have been unethical to give him treatment. But that didn't mean I wasn't able to help. I prayed. What did I do?

I turned away from that picture of cold symptoms and misery and thought about the true nature of man, made in God's image and likeness. Thinking about spiritual man, loved and governed by God, began to capture my whole attention. (I will admit that I didn't follow any more what the professor was saying. Don't tell him......)

I felt a sense of joy rise up in me, a sense of happiness and freedom. I realized that man is loved, well, complete, and whole. I "bathed" in that sense of divine perfection for a while. I don't know how long. I had forgotten time and my surroundings. Maybe 10 or 15 min.

Then I noticed my fellow student next to me. He was alert, paying attention, taking notes -- he was completely healed. And I thought: Wow, if that is what CS can do -- that's really cool!

I feel that in a way you have experienced something similar with your friend. How long should you continue in your prayer? The only answer I can give is: You will know. You will know when the truth about God and man so fills your thought that it puts an involuntary smile on your face and you have no doubt left that all is well. That's the light of the Christ that destroys impersonal impositions. And that brings healing.

Thanks so much for writing! You have a wonderful journey ahead of you!

Much love, Michael

[NancyJ]

Thank you all for your inspiration, encouragement, and kindness. I am so appreciative of your posts.

Sometimes, too, a walk outdoors enjoying nature can put things in perspective. Doing so reminds me of God's Love, His goodness.

Regarding the person praying for: I continue to see progress!...although I am still praying. That is where I will need to learn to trust God more, so I can let go. Will continue to wait for the peace you all described.

Thanks!!!!!
Nancy

[pattyp]

Sometimes we may reach a point of peace in our prayer and then naturally move on to other things. Then we may discover -- perhaps hours or days (or even years) later – that some aspect of that situation comes again to our thought. Perhaps that particular point hadn’t been specifically addressed before, but our spiritual progress has now brought it to the surface for further prayerful attention. To me, this is like the Bible’s Naaman who needed to wash “seven times”. That is, he had to keep purifying his thought and actions over and over until he was fully healed of leprosy and the tendency to let pride and anger rule his day.

In some cases, a particularly stubborn error may yield only with repeated washings. We realize a measure of increased freedom each time it is washed with Truth. The first treatment may bring us to a point of peace commensurate with our present readiness to grasp it, and that may be sufficient. But if we find a particular healing requires repeated washings, we can be grateful that Christ is enabling us to destroy every vestige of the error and to be thoroughly healed.

In a paragraph sub-titled ‘The true healing’ Science and Health explains, “We think that we are healed when a disease disappears, though it is liable to reappear; but we are never thoroughly healed until the liability to be ill is removed.” (p. 230) Repeated washings, if necessary, ensure that the liability to be ill IS removed.

Much love to you in your healing work –

[shelly]

I love what each and every person contributed. I like to think of the words from the Bible "amen" and "selah" Selah means "pause and think on that". For me that means listening and taking time to be greatful for the healing ideas that come to us from God- and eliminating any suggestion that illness can return.

[NancyJ]

Thanks for your input. I read and think about what you've all written.:)

I'm reading a biography about MBE, and am amazed at the amount of healings. She had complete faith the healing would be done. She had oneness with God, and complete trust in Him.

I believe God can heal the person with depression, but then at other times my faith/trust seems to dwindle in the possibility He will, and my practical, material side seems to want equal time.
The person has improved, but I keep checking for signs that it hasn't happened. Kind of strange I guess!:confused:

I've started attending Testimony Mtgs. in Boston when time allows. I think that will help in the learning process, too.

[shelly]

Dear friend,

Yes, depression can be healed. My Grandmother had actually been committed to an asylum in the 1940's and was completely healed of depression through Christian Science.

When I started to have symptoms of severe depression, I knew I only wanted to rely on Christian Science. Yes, it was at times a battle with a personal self who wanted to say "look down". But I remember once while I was praying, as voice that said "look up". It was as if I was coming out of the depths of the sea, breaking the surface of the water, and seeing the sunshine. From then on I knew I could say 'no" to those thoughts that try to bring me down and instead affirm that God, Love is always with me, always loving me, and intimately guiding me. My understanding of holy goodness has only increased.

[pattyp]

I keep checking for signs that it hasn't happened. Kind of strange I guess!

This is doubt trying to creep in Nancy. It's trying to deny the healing. So stay very confident (it comes from God), and don't allow doubt to get a foot in the door, or even a toe! Doubt is pretty subtle, so you be very watchful. It will try to make you think it's your own thought. But it isn't. The complete healing WILL appear if you just "stick to your gun!"

[NancyJ]

I continue to see even more improvement! The person involved took a big, healthy step this afternoon in his life.

'Look up' is a great reminder. Thanks! :)

I am starting to dismiss doubt whenever it crosses my thoughts, and making that something to work on.

:) Thanks, friends!
Nancy

[pcook]

Dear Nancy,
Thank you for initiating this discussion. It touches on many important areas of practice and prayer. I wanted to chime in on two of these.

First, I find it helpful to remember that every prayer is effective. When we pray, we are calling on God's word, about which He says (in Isaiah) "it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please...." So, if I return later (hours, weeks, months) to pray again about a particular concern, I know that I am building on the work already accompished.

Second, I find often that healing results naturally from the daily desire to spiritualize my thought, through the specific study of Christian Science. I was healed of depression and panic attacks that plagued me for over 30 years. This healing came about gradually, over a period of years; when it occurred I cannot exactly pinpoint. One day it dawned on me that I had not experienced any of the symptoms in many months. I knew I was healed, because I'd forgotten I had ever had a problem! I understand this healing as follows: As I steadily learned more about my true identity as God's daughter and felt God's immense, unshakable love for me, I discovered a sense of well-being and inner peace that are permanent.

I hope these thoughts are encouraging to you and your friend. I'm so grateful for your eager desire to understand God and your openness to Christian Science, which has brought so many blessings to me and so many others I know.
In love and sisterhood along the way,
Pamela

[newunfoldment]

Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your post.Your willingness to trust God, wait and lean on Him, is an inspiration to us all.:)

The word TRUST appears in the Bible 48 times, and here is one of my very favorite and reassuring citation, to share with you.

Ruth 2:12
The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

God is stirring and steering your thought.Your reward is great!

[NancyJ]

The person tried another medicine and is more conversational, he stated his thinking is different---more improved, feels more productive, etc...a chemical imbalance that has responded well to a specific medicine.

Is this viewed as something of a failure in CS? I see nothing but love and understanding from CS, but in all truth, how is this viewed?

The person involved is not CS, and did not seek treatment from a practitioner. I believe he could have been healed through treatments, but part of me also thinks God helped humanity discover medicine that can help. I understand that is a long way off from CS beliefs. I'm not completely there yet!

But, this person went the medicine route, and it is working for him. I understand there are side effects, but overall, he has found something that is helping. There is a definite improvement.

:confused:

[Donna in VA]

Respecting another's choice of treatment is right. I teach and over the years I have regularly had to refer students for medical or psychological testing or treatment. It is the loving thing to support what others choose just as I want them to respect my choice. But I always pray to clear my own thinking so I see the one being referred as God's spiritual child and in Her loving care always. My class always has less sickness than others and children with problems make marked improvement.

[NancyJ]

Not to keep this going as a diary, just wanted to mention the person involved felt 'dull' 'cloudy' etc...didn't like the feeling he was experiencing after being on the medicine.
At first his thinking was clear, he felt more balanced, etc..but the side effects became worse than the good results. He said today he is taking a break from trying medicines. Not that the score is CS=1 and medicine=0, because I know Christian Science isn't like that, but the medicines sure haven't been the answer up to this point.

I also get confused because some accounts of CS are all or nothing, and others seem like whatever the person desires (which might be medical intervention).
I also get nervous when I read about how some parents decided on 'no medicine' when medicine could have been a cure. That's when I start thinking, it seems like all or nothing? And I take a few steps back. Esp. when it's an adult making that decision for someone else?
Thanks for letting my thoughts in print.

[levity]

Hi Nancy,

I’m glad you raised these questions because I think they get at an often-misunderstood point about Christian Science—a misperception regarding CS parents and the way they care for their children.

Speaking as one who was raised in a CS family, I can tell you from personal experience that CS parents do not withhold medical care from their children. Parenting, in Christian Science, is not about being dogmatic; it’s like any other form of loving parenting—where the welfare of the child comes first. My parents were great in that when problems came up, they always gave me a choice about how I wanted to address them. And I came away with the message that they would love me no matter what and that they just wanted me to be taken care of.

Interestingly enough, when given the choice, I did pick Christian Science—mainly because I’d seen it work (often extremely quickly), and I sensed my parents’ trust in it. They were offering me Christian Science because they knew it was effective. And sure enough, it was. The best part for me, as a kid, was that being raised in Christian Science taught me that there’s an answer for everything, at any moment, because God, my Father-Mother, is always there to help me and heal me.

(For more on CS and parenting, you can also explore two videos in the “Life Stories” portion of this site—try Bob Clark (A parent chooses Christian Science with immediate results (http://www.christianscience.com/life-stories-5.html)) and Sally-Anne Jansen (Comfort—and healing—in a crisis (http://christianscience.com/life-stories-4.html)).)

As for the all-or-nothing part of your question, I think a great reference point is the healings in the “Fruitage” chapter at the end of Science and Health. To me, what these testimonies point out is that God is gentle with us, that He truly is all-embracing Love. The people who wrote these testimonies didn’t find CS (and a new conception of God through CS) and then feel forced to take an all-or-nothing approach. No one told them they had to toss out their pills to be healed. But here’s the powerful thing: What they read in S&H, and what they were learning about God’s care for them, His omnipotence, His trustworthiness, gave them the confidence and conviction they needed to turn wholeheartedly to Spirit. You could say that they didn’t turn to Spirit out of fear or obligation, but out of love and trust.

I’ve found, in my own experience, that it’s when I forsake matter (or a belief in matter) out of a love for God, out of a deeper understanding of Him, that that's when healing happens the most readily.

[NancyJ]

Thank you, levity. I liked reading what you had to say.

My husband and I were talking about this today, how in religion, there will be some who go to the left and right extremes, and some middle. I would not feel drawn to pray in front of Padre Pio's exhumed body as Catholics have done recently. And although my denomination is Catholic at this time, I found it distasteful. Some might assume I agree with it just because I am Catholic.

Although I believe in God, and that He does heal, I wouldn't be a good candidate to stand by and pray if I knew a known remedy would solve the problem quite readily. BUT if the sick person CHOSE to go the route of prayer and not medical intervention, and could make that choice with knowledge, I would respect that.
Even Mark Twain's children died after he exhaustingly sought medical treatment for them, but I still lean on the side of common sense. A combination of prayer and medicine, or prayer only if the person chooses, or just medicine if they choose. And I look for the CS to lovingly respect that, which it seems to me they do.

I also appreciate that the this board allows for questions.

Thanks again.

[solo]

Nancy, mesmerism is saying to you ,You are mortal.You have to fight this hateful suggestion with love ,by giving to God much gratitude.
Gratitude much do in this, and watch,wait on God.This is final.