Testimony of Healing September 30, 2013 Issue

No more partial deafness

Russ Coles

For the past 40 years I have studied Christian Science, and I feel that as a result of this regular study, I have enjoyed excellent health. I have always relied on Christian Science for healing of physical issues, and it has always been effective. For this, as you might expect, I am indeed humbled and grateful. One recent healing came about through deep study of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy—and with the help of a Christian Science practitioner, whose work was and is most effective.

Last winter, over the course of several months, I had issues with the hearing in my right ear. I would pray to know more clearly that I couldn’t be separated from my creator, God, and my hearing would quickly improve; however, after a certain point, I became almost completely deaf in that ear. This didn’t prevent me from being able to go through my workday, but it was troubling to have my hearing so impaired.

During this time I relied solely on prayer for healing. I studied Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy more deeply and consistently than I had before, and also researched many ideas in her Prose Works collection. I would often recite this line from a favorite hymn, which is a poem by Mrs. Eddy: “I will listen for Thy voice” (“ ‘Feed My Sheep,’ ” Christian Science Hymnal, No. 304). I also asked a practitioner to pray with me. We talked several times a week. I spent time during this period praying with and appreciating even more many of my favorite Bible verses. One that meant a great deal to me was Psalms 43:5, which reads, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”