Article June 20, 2005 Issue

WHAT IF YOU'VE PRAYED

AND THE PAIN IS STILL THERE?

By Jan Libengood

ONE MORNING, I LEANED OVER TO DRY MY HAIR UPSIDE DOWN. THIS MAY seem silly and it certainly looks silly, but my hair stylist had recommended it as a way to add volume and improve the look of the hair. While I was leaning over, holding the rather heavy blow–dryer, something moved in my lower back, and I felt a sharp pain.

It took me a bit to get back to upright. Some discomfort in my back remained, but I felt it was not a day I could afford to miss work. And so I kept on with my day as planned. By evening, however, I was in serious pain! I decided to pray and turn to God for help. And I called a Christian Science practitioner to pray for me. Although I was sure there would be healing, by the next morning I could hardly move. No position was comfortable, especially going up and down stairs.

"What was wrong?" I wondered. I had prayed. The practitioner had prayed. We both had acknowledged that God knows and loves us each specifically and totally; that there are no mishaps in God's kingdom and consequently no bad effects. I got my copy of Science and Health and read eagerly, reinforcing my understanding that, despite physical evidence to the contrary, God was sending only good to me and to all of us—and that included no pain.