One Monday early last year, I found myself struggling with severe pain when I tried to walk. I was just beginning a term as First Reader of my branch Church of Christ, Scientist, which involved standing in front of the congregation for an hour at a time to conduct Sunday morning services and Wednesday testimony meetings.

I contacted a Christian Science practitioner for metaphysical treatment that day and was quickly free of the discomfort. 

But then Wednesday morning of that week I couldn’t get out of bed. It was impossible to make the slightest move without sharp pain. I called a friend who is a neighbor and a Christian Science nurse and asked for a walker, to see if I could use it to get on my feet. I was unable to do so, so we prayed aloud, declaring truths we both know well from our study and practice of Christian Science, and denying that any material condition could have power over or effect on me as God’s spiritual and perfect expression. We persisted in these declarations of truth for a few hours, until she finally was able to ease me to the edge of the bed and I could stand and move forward with the walker.