Testimony of Healing September 19, 1983 Issue

"Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with...

LOIS HILTON

"Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." This statement on the first page of the chapter "Prayer" in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, became my prayer in working out a particular problem.

I had called a Christian Science practitioner for help for our young son, who seemed to be constantly challenged by beliefs of contagion, colds, and coughs one winter. While talking to the practitioner, I had felt a great sense of love. She had said she would be glad to work with me. But afterward I began to debate with myself whether I should call her back and tell her that I also needed to be healed of cigarette smoking. I recognized I wasn't being honest with myself. "How can you say that there is no sensation in matter in regard to a physical problem, and the next minute think you can derive pleasure from smoking a cigarette?" I thought. That was simply claiming there is sensation in matter.

After an hour or two (I was pretty determined not to disturb the practitioner), I called her anyway and asked if she would help me overcome this habit. Again, I felt a great sense of love and compassion. She agreed to work with me. In the past I had tried to give up smoking through human will and had succeeded for a few days, only to go back to it again. This time, though, with the practitioner's help and by my holding constantly to the truth of the statement quoted above, I was freed of the habit. And that's exactly what it was—freedom. What a glorious feeling! It far surpassed anything I had previously thought of as pleasurable. Afterward I joined The Mother Church and a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and really became active in Science. Along with these blessings came many more. Our son's health improved greatly, so that he went from what seemed to be a frail child to playing varsity football in high school and college.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

When my husband completed his studies at the beginning of...