Editorial September 28, 1981 Issue

Praying for those we love

DeWITT JOHN

Knowing from experience the power of scientific prayer, one naturally wishes to use it to benefit friends or family members in need. But what if they have no interest in Christian Science? Or they reject Christian Science treatment? Or the one in need is relying on material healing methods?

There's always something we can do to help. We can deal with our own thoughts through prayer in Christian Science. We can replace fear with the understanding of Love's omnipotence and loving care for all its children. We can see, through spiritual sense, the harmony and perfection of God's universe and man, right where mortal discord seems to be. We can establish thoroughly in our own consciousness the presence of the Christ-power to awaken, redeem, guide, and heal every individual. In this way we can hold our own thoughts lovingly and scientifically in line with Truth and Love, and this is a positive spiritual benefit not only to ourselves but also to the whole situation.

At the same time, we need to understand clearly the difference between spiritualizing our own thoughts in a given set of circumstances and initiating Christian Science treatment unasked. An important ethical point is involved here. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, refers to it where she writes: "Promiscuous mental treatment, without the consent or knowledge of the individual treated, is an error of much magnitude. People unaware of the indications of mental treatment, know not what is affecting them, and thus may be robbed of their individual rights,—freedom of choice and self-government."^{Retrospection and Introspection, p. 71.}