"This is a natural disaster, so let us remain strong in dealing with it," said Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (BBC News, October 1, 2009). He was visiting some of the worst-hit areas following the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the island of Sumatra at the end of September. Thousands of people were killed or injured, power lines, schools, and hospitals were destroyed. The quake triggered land slides that in some cases covered whole villages. It also led to a tsunami that affected the Pacific islands of Samoa and American Samoa.

Around the same time, the Philippines was hit by two typhoons—Ketsana and Parma. Nearly half a million people were affected by flooding resulting from Ketsana, and Parma wiped out $128 million worth of crops, primarily rice. More than 300 people were killed and $57 million worth of property damage—in addition to the crop losses—came as a result of these two storms. Meanwhile, especially heavy monsoon rains following a drought have severely affected southern India, leading to crop and livestock losses, and deaths. Hundreds of thousands have been left homeless.

In disasters, much attention is given to the immediate aftermath in an effort to save as many lives as possible and to restore services quickly. On the heels of those events, there is another issue to be considered that can, in its own way, be as devastating: disaster-related disease and trauma. Christian Science, with its conviction that God is all-powerful Love, which destroys disease and mental unrest, can make a major contribution to preserving health.

While each of these parts of the world is different, there are some basic aspects of their situation that can be addressed in prayer. These include insect-borne diseases such as dengue fever; sicknesses seen to be a product of contaminated water such as cholera; and psychological trauma, especially for children who recall the major tsunami that devastated life for so many in 2004.

"MY HEART SHALL NOT FEAR" (PS. 27:3)

One of Christ Jesus's out standing characteristics is his fearlessness. No matter what situation he faced, his conviction of God's love was so clear that he was undaunted. Death, sorrow, disease—even highly infectious ones—gave way before his love for God and humanity, On more than one occasion, he assured people not to be afraid, and healing followed.

Mary Baker Eddy reinforced this point in Science and Health, when she wrote: "Always begin your treatment by allaying the fear of patients. Silently reassure them as to their exemption from disease and danger" (p. 411).

This exemption rests on the spiritual fact that God is Love. Not just love in an abstract or intellectual sense. Divine Love redeems, purifies, strengthens, restores physically and mentally. God is Love with power—total power, actually—and Love reaches all humanity, not just certain people who believe certain things. When one looks at people through Love's eyes, one can see beyond religious and cultural differences to the reality that each individual is spiritual, created in God's image, good and perfect, Spirit is infinitely pure; it can't include disease or any other material element This purity of Spirit exempts everyone—including those in the disaster areas—from disease.

Understanding that the purity of Spiritis infinite—that infinite—that is, includes all of its creation—can strengthen our prayers regarding disease-bearing insects like mosquitoes and the influence of fear. Since creation itself is spiritual, there can't be a material element to be spread by insects and fear. Mary Baker Eddy put it best in this passage from Science and Health: "All of God's creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible" (p. 514).

Claiming "the harmony of Science" in prayer will recognize the oneness of good and affirm good as the only presence. This conviction will support the efforts of governments and others working in the disaster zones to find intelligent solutions that will meet the specific needs "on the ground," In Love's environment all is perfect and pure. Accepting this as the only reality leads to intelligent and healing solutions to preserve health and protect life. 

"A PURE RIVER OF WATER OF LIFE" (REV. 22:1)

Diseases like cholera, which are seen to be a product of contaminated water, can be a very serious threat, especially in the Philippines, where many canals are already clogged with garbage, human waste, and structures that impede cleanup efforts. Tetanus—a disease-fear in Indonesia—is said to result from bacteria entering an untreated wound.

Both these—and other diseases—rest on the assumption that God's creation includes both spiritual and material elements and that the material are strong enough to overrule omnipotent Love. According to this belief, men and women may think spiritual thoughts and have uplifted hopes, but they are still vulnerable to material conditions. Science and Health cancels that claim by its statement, "... matter can make no conditions for man" (p. 120). (Man is an overall term for God's men and women, and includes children as well.)

Matter is the opposite of Spirit; it has no power, no ability to be, to think, or to act This means that disease, which has its only basis in matter, cannot infect or touch the ideas, or children, of Spirit. There is no part of God's kingdom where some little dark corner of impurity can exist or where human events can cause impurity to seep in. Spirit's allness and man's uncontaminated nature as Spirit's expression are the reality in the disaster zones and everywhere. Our prayers can prove this.

"NO FEAR IN LOVE" (I JOHN 4:18)

Trauma is a common response to any kind of disaster, but for some children this is an especially difficult time. The Christian Science Monitor reported that the Indonesian earthquake "carries with it a grim déjà vu for Sumatra's children, according to relief organizations. Untold thousands of children died in the earthquake-triggered tsunami that struck the island and other parts of Indonesia in 2004. Many of those who survived continue to suffer from trauma" ("For Indonesia earthquake relief, true test comes in remote areas," October 5, 2009).

This trauma may be seen as a kind of unresolved sorrow and fear over past events as well as fear of the future. It may also argue that evil can repeat itself—as in the case of danger and damage from monsoon rains in India. The knowledge of God and of His Christ—His healing presence—is the solid rock on which each individual can stand for support during such times. Mrs. Eddy's "Communion Hymn" offers specific thoughts for prayers on behalf of these children and others affected by trauma:

In that same hymn, Christ is described as "Strongest deliverer, friend of the friendless." This strongest deliverer is able to cleanse each heart and mind of memories of disasters—present or past—because Christ is God's voice speaking to individual consciousness in terms that each one can understand. Providing assurance of Love's presence and strength, Christ is with everyone—young or old—meeting the individual need, restoring the spiritual sense of God's goodness and harmony, even in the midst of trials.

Much has already been done to restore the basic elements of normalcy in these countries, but our prayers can provide deeper healing—that which takes away not just the memory of disaster but also corrects conditions so life will be better and purer for everyone. | css