A few years ago while I was attending a Saturday afternoon workshop, I began to have sharp chest pains. Because I had always turned to prayer for healing, I immediately began to pray about this situation. For the next half hour, until the conclusion of the meeting, I made every effort to keep my thoughts centered on God, and not on the discomfort. After the meetings, I continued to pray, though I hadn't made much progress in finding relief.

My wife drove me the short distance to our vacation home, where we were spending the weekend. For the next several hours, I prayed wholeheartedly for lessening of the pain. My starting point had been the fact that God alone governed me, and that in my spiritual identity—my only true identity—I was completely free of this condition.

Although I had never experienced this trouble before, I didn't focus on what might have caused it or why it was happening now. I knew that what I needed was to see the falsity of the pain that seemed so aggressive and was consuming my thoughts. I sought inspiration in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Many passages brought me comfort. I also recall striving to feel the truth of lines from a loved hymn: "In atmosphere of love divine, /We live, and move, and breathe" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 144). I knew that the body responds to the thoughts that are applied to it, and I persisted in expecting healing.

Continuing with my study, though still not physically free, I also decided to call a Christian Science practitioner. I'd been reluctant to do this because I'd had so many healings in the past without asking for help. The practitioner immediately began to pray with me. One statement he asked me to think about was: "Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual,—neither in nor of matter,—and the body will then utter no complaints. If suffering from a belief in sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well" (Science and Health, p. 14).

To me, this meant that I should become exclusively aware of the truth that I was spiritual, made by God alone. It meant letting go of the concept of disease that I was holding on to—because it was not intelligent, substantial, or real. It had no foundation in fact. True substance is created by God, and can never be diseased.

This time, relief came quickly. Within about 20 minutes, the sharp pain had begun to dissipate. I relaxed and rested more comfortably for a couple of hours.

But when I tried to lie down for the night, the return of intense pain indicated a crisis in my condition, and I felt as if I might pass on. I called the practitioner and said something to the effect that I wasn't afraid to die. He immediately challenged this assertion. How could I—God's own likeness—express anything but God, who is Life? It was impossible for me to be separated for even an instant from His care. This reinforced my commitment to stick only with thoughts of what was true—God and His harmony—and to know that nothing could ever take that away from me.

The practitioner and I prayed through the night. We stayed in close telephone contact for the next 24 hours. During this time, I felt that I was mentally rising to the level of actually being conscious of God's complete control, of His love, and of my relationship to Him. In this conscious relationship, I perceived that the body becomes the servant instead of the master. And that's exactly what became evident. The pain that had been so acute abated significantly.

Even though I hadn't slept at all during this period, on Sunday morning I was able to take a short nap. When I woke up, I felt refreshed. I knew healing had been accomplished. I had no fear that the condition would come back. My wife and I attended the service at a nearby Church of Christ, Scientist. By Monday morning, I felt completely restored and able to resume my normal business activities.

I am so grateful for this healing, and for the diligent, effective prayers of the practitioner. The trouble has never returned in the years since. Above all, I treasure what this experience taught me about my uninterruptible relationship with God.

RONALD BUTLER
UPLAND, CALIFORNIA