Article May 7, 2007 ISSUE

PRAYING OUR WAY out of desperation

BY HELEN CRONIN

THE DROUGHT in some parts of Australia has extended now for over a decade. The situation is dire at present. For many it has been just plain hard to keep going at times. But we pull up our socks and carry on, with God's help. I'm so grateful that I've had Christian Science to help me and my family.

At the moment it seems as if it will never rain again. Some farmers, and the sons of farmers, have been giving up. Some have even committed suicide because of their plight, and in fact the suicide rate in parts of the Australian bush has doubled in recent years. Not long ago the brother of my son's best friend took his own life. It was devastating for the young man's family—and for my son. I went to visit and to comfort the family, and especially the young man's mother. I wanted to offer some thoughts, but mostly just to be with her in a time of need.