Article April 3, 1926 Issue

The Prayer Which Heals

ALICE E. STEWART

In the sixth chapter of Luke we read, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." The "good treasure," as every true Christian Scientist knows, is the attainment and demonstration of those Christlike qualities which Jesus embodied and reflected in his great work of redemption from sin, for all humanity and for all time. These same qualities are included in a rule for spiritual healing which Mrs. Eddy has given us on page 1 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." She says, "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love."

The earnest student of this Science who has experienced healing, wishing to know more of the prayer that reforms and heals, humbly asks God, as did Solomon, to give him "an understanding heart," that he "may discern between good and bad." He finds an answer to his prayer in an awakened desire for spiritual things, and in a desire to learn whether the treasure of his own heart be good or evil. Putting his desire into practice, he faithfully and persistently seeks to detect the beam in his own eye—to have his thoughts laid bare, that he may know whether they are inspired and directed by divine will, or engendered by selfish desires and aims. Through this process of purifying thought he puts off a false sense of self with its delusions and limitations, and finds his true selfhood—his spiritual identity—expressed in purer desires and a greater love for all of God's creation.

As the student gradually attains, through this means of spiritual growth, a higher understanding of God and His spiritual idea, man, he is able to impart to others the truth which redeems from sickness and sin. With humility and patient endeavor he goes forward, ever heeding our beloved Leader's counsel on page 496 of Science and Health: "Hold perpetually this thought,—that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being."

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