Editorial December 12, 1988 Issue

Christian Science healing—a ministry of quiet prayer

William E. Moody

There's a lot of noise in the world today. A lot of hype. A lot of causes, special interest groups, personal agendas, clamoring for attention and influence. Amid all the din and hustle, there's little wonder that people can feel it's difficult to be heard—or to listen. It sometimes appears that the way society goes about attempting to solve many of its problems is simply to throw more noise at them.

When a person is in need of healing, however, it's natural to yearn for something a bit quieter, something that speaks directly to the heart with gentle grace, steady authority, compassion, and power. This is what many have discovered when they've turned to the healing ministry of Christian Science. It's a ministry of quiet prayer, striving to follow the example of the Saviour, Christ Jesus. It's a ministry aimed at bringing one to an understanding of man's true relationship of unity with God. It helps people feel how close God really is to their lives.

In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, there's a passage that speaks of the "quiet sanctuary" of prayer. Here, Science and Health indicates the need to shut out the intruding noise of the physical senses and to turn wholeheartedly to God's all-power. The passage also shows the coincident demands of Christian discipleship. As Mrs. Eddy writes: "In order to pray aright, we must enter into the closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and silence the material senses. In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God's allness. We must resolve to take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love."^{Science and Health, p. 15.} The textbook goes on to make clear that the way we live what our prayers express is essential to discovering the healing answers we're looking for.