The prayer that meets all needs

I’m so grateful for my education, training, and ongoing experience as a Christian Science nurse. The basis of the education that a Christian Science nurse receives is found in a By-Law on page 49 of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy.

First and foremost “a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” is required. The practice of Christian Science develops one’s ability to listen for and follow God’s direction under all circumstances. Both the patient and the Christian Science nurse are always receptively turning to God to bring about healing and harmony.

Since divine Principle, Love, is always at hand to meet our needs, an absolute, unconditional trust in God is the springboard for the rest of the work that the Christian Science nurse does. The two other Manual requirements, “practical wisdom” and “proper care of the sick,” are the natural outflow of this inspiration. The ability to know and feel the presence, power, intelligence, and activity of God as the law of eternal good with us is a treasure beyond price. It is one I’ve been grateful to develop through Christian Science nursing, and it is open to all through Christian Science.

About four years ago, during a family trip to Peru, I saw how this kind of inspiration results in effective healing. My dad, brother, and I had planned an outing to the newly restored Peruvian Navy museum in Ancón, outside of Lima. Dad served in the Peruvian Navy for many years, and has a great love for it.

The three of us were staying overnight in a hotel when, during the night, there was a loud crash in the bathroom. My brother and I were up in a flash. We found Dad in a heap inside the shower stall, apparently having tripped. He was still wearing his wool sailor’s watch cap, which he faithfully wore to bed.

Seeing that prized cap cushioning his head from a sharp tile ledge touched my heart and lightened my thought. It was divine Love’s tender reassurance saying to me, “I AM here.” I called out: “Dad, you’re safe. All is well. God is here with us.”

Gently and carefully, I slipped in alongside him while mentally embracing him as the perfect image and likeness of God. As Dad was not responding, I began to voice the truth to him: that he was unhurt and always in God’s presence, that God was always loving him as His precious child. Cradling Dad in my arms, I firmly declared that omnipresent Life, God, was his eternal Life, and nothing could interfere with this Life or take it away.

Things began to improve as the power of Truth took hold. I asked my brother to bring pillows and blankets, and we cushioned Dad. But several untoward suggestions tried to barge in: The picture is still dire; Dad and my brother aren’t Christian Scientists; maybe my prayers won’t get through. These were mentally refuted as I insisted that God, Mind, is our only Mind and communicator.

As I listened for something we could pray together, the Lord’s Prayer with its spiritual sense given by Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (pp. 16–17 ) came to mind. I asked Dad to pray along with us. My brother and I recited the prayer together as one—deeply, reverently, slowly—clinging to and feeling each word with all our hearts. After each line, I added the spiritual sense from Science and Health. Dad was able to chime in as we finished the Lord’s Prayer. He was more alert and acknowledged no discomfort. This proved to me that it is indeed the prayer “which covers all human needs,” as Mrs. Eddy said (p. 16).

Within about half an hour, Dad felt he should try to stand up since we couldn’t stay in the shower stall all night. Step by step, he demonstrated the ability to move without impediment or discomfort, to get up and bear his weight, to be stable on his feet, and to walk to bed. As we turned in, we reaffirmed that God’s man is unfallen, incapable of being hurt, and always under God’s laws of love and harmony.

That morning we went ahead with the outing. It was a memorable day. We enjoyed the tour of the museum as well as a delicious seafood lunch in the area.

The next day, Dad asked to go to the Navy Hospital for an exam and some X-rays just to verify that everything was OK. On the way, I reminded him not to worry because it was God’s job to keep him feeling happy and harmonious. I knew the doctor’s findings would be in full agreement with what God knew to be true. And it was proven so. No neck brace or pills were needed. Nothing but Dad’s perfection was found. Divine Love was present all along and had the final word.

Carmen Diaz-Bolton
Boise, Idaho, US