Article March 24, 1934 Issue

Prayer and Fasting

BLANCHE NELSON

The Gospel records leave no room for doubt that there is a law of God which heals all manner of ills, and that Christ Jesus understood and applied this law with perfect naturalness and success.

Some accounts of Jesus' mighty works are very brief, simply stating that an individual, or in some cases multitudes, came for healing and received it. In other accounts some details are given. Among the latter are those of the palsied man to whom Jesus said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee;" of the Syrophœnician woman whose faith was put to the test before Jesus healed her daughter; of the centurion's servant; of the woman who was healed in the synagogue on the Sabbath; of the raising of Jairus' daughter, and many more. All these narratives contain instruction invaluable to the student of Christian Science, for they call attention to the workings of so-called mortal mind, and point to the correct mental attitude whereby error is destroyed.

The story of the healing of the boy suffering from a violent form of lunacy, whose father brought him to Jesus after the disciples had failed to heal him, includes specific illustration of how the Master overcame the discords of physical sense. Commenting upon this incident in an article entitled "Christian Science Healing" in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 222): "When his disciples asked him why they could not heal that case, Jesus, the master Metaphysician, answered, 'Because of your unbelief' (lack of faith)." "Also, he added: 'This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting' (refraining from admitting the claims of the senses)." What illumination is here! How grateful is the student of Christian Science for the spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures given by our revered Leader!

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