The knowledge of spiritual law gained in the study of Christian Science reveals wonderful possibilities for humanity. Students of Christian Science learn, in particular, to apply God's spiritual law of healing to whatever confronts them. Yet because they do not turn to material remedies if disease threatens, it may appear that they ignore disease. This is by no means the case.

Some ask, "If there is a spiritual law of healing, why isn't everyone using it?" For one thing, many do not know about it, or are incredulous of it. The possibility of going to the moon existed centuries ago, but until recently mankind did not have the knowledge of how to get there, or even believe getting there was possible. Similarly, God's spiritual law of healing has always existed, and is available and effective today. Christian Science explains it and proves it demonstrable.

Christian Science teaches that God, Spirit, is All and therefore His laws are spiritual and the only real laws. Because God, Spirit, is Life, divine Principle, the only power, the only creator, all creation must be perfect, complete. The material world, and a mortal, imperfect man, then, must be a mistaken belief about creation, having no true law to support it. Consequently, God's spiritual law of healing must supersede all so-called material laws.

The divine law of healing is discerned and applied through scientific prayer that subordinates the belief of mortal selfhood to the understanding that man manifests the attributes of God, such as wisdom, mercy, justice, wholeness, purity, loving-kindness. To pray scientifically for healing is to turn thought away from disease or discord to the life-giving truth of God's presence, power, and love. This spiritualizes human consciousness, opening thought to perceive the perfect, spiritual man of God's creation.

Someone might ask, "How can I solve a problem if I don't think about it?" It is first necessary to clear one's thinking through scientific prayer, so that the God-given answer as to what proper steps are needed can come to mind. An upset, fearful mind doesn't produce the kind of thinking that solves problems. Thoughts of resentment, anger, retaliation, self-pity, self-will, faultfinding, fear, must be cast out. Consciousness must be filled with love, forgiveness, forbearance, self-forgetfulness, and acceptance of God's perfect, spiritual creation, including perfect, spiritual man. The spiritual activity of scientific prayer serves to uplift and purify consciousness, and is evidenced in healing.

Perhaps the reason some people think Christian Science ignores disease lies in the need to understand more of what scientific prayer is. More than mere petition, it is the understanding and affirmation of spiritual truth, which transforms consciousness. The prayer of petition is not enough. As Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health, "The common custom of praying for the recovery of the sick finds help in blind belief, whereas help should come from the enlightened understanding." ^{Science and Health, p. 12;}

Why not use material medicine as well as scientific prayer? Because one cancels out the other. Materiality and spirituality are opposites. It is impossible to work from opposite standpoints. A divided thought pulls both ways and gets nowhere. In Jesus' words, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." ^{Matt. 6:24;}

Putting a problem out of thought by turning to God is doing something positive to change consciousness. Admittedly, it takes firmness to dismiss negative thinking and replace it with spiritual truth. It requires discipline and persistence to keep from fruitlessly turning negative thoughts over and over. Trying to run away from a problem is equally fruitless.

At one time we had a situation arise in our family which proved this. The problem was a growth on my daughter's arm. The condition had not seemed particularly serious and I had put off dealing with it. Finally the child startled me into action when she told me, "Susie says I should have the growth cut off by a doctor." I immediately realized that the growth was not going to clear up of itself and that we must give proper treatment if the arm was to be healed.

As we read Science and Health together for help and inspiration, the following sentence stood out to us as the answer we needed: "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." ^{Science and Health, p. 4;}

We worked with this statement daily. Of one thing we made sure—not to check the arm to see how it was doing, as that would have meant making a reality of the problem by giving thought to material belief instead of to the law of Truth. Our prayer for becoming more aware of the virtues mentioned in the statement went something like this:

Patience: Remember to use this quality in connection with the school car pool. Don't be annoyed when the car is late. Use waiting time to think of God's allness and goodness. Be grateful for the ride.

Meekness: In all we do, give all glory to God. Jesus said, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." ^{John 5:19;}

Love: Be thoughtful, forbearing, loving. Include everyone. Without exception, see each one in man's real spiritual selfhood, regardless of the picture the material senses present.

Good deeds: Turn thought away from self to the needs of others. Be alert and willing to help.

One day my husband said, "I see you've had a healing in Christian Science." Then we looked at the arm. It was healed.

How satisfying to get to the root of a problem through scientific prayer and see it really solved! And that's not all that's accomplished. In addition to the healing, and every bit as important, consciousness is further spiritualized. Another step is taken toward the ultimate goal of fulfilling Christ Jesus' behest: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." ^{Matt. 5:48.} In this unfoldment of perfection is joy that never ends.

God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy.

Ecclesiastes 2:26