In college, she doubted her abilities and needed reassurance, even when she was performing well. By grad school, she faced down failure with ease. What changed? For this author, the shift happened when she got a deeper understanding of her spiritual identity.

Though she was on fire to share Christian Science and its healing effects on her life, this university student was met with skepticism—sometimes even hostility—from people who seemed to have no interest in God or religion. Prayer helped her find both a different perspective on sharing and a new way to share.

Do you feel like you know God intellectually but don’t really feel close to God? This writer longed to experience God more tangibly, and she shares what happened to make that possible.

Growing up, this author never felt loved, and as a teenager, she searched desperately for a way to fill that gaping hole. But it wasn’t until she was introduced to Christian Science that she began to see a new dimension to love—one that finally satisfied her.

When it came to achievements on the playing field or sexual conquests, this author just wasn’t measuring up—and that caused him to doubt himself both as a person and a man. A turning point came when he began reevaluating his definition of what it means to be a man and choosing a new, spiritual sense of manhood as his model. 

If you see people who are homeless, addicted to drugs, or otherwise struggling, what can you do? This author shares how praying through her own perception of others has made a difference.

A former weight lifter finds that what she learned from her coach about getting the full benefit of any exercise also applies to getting the most out of her prayers. In other words, when we pray, it’s not enough to go through the motions; we have to let God move our heart.

When a political conversation turns into a debate, how can you respond in a way that really helps? This writer got a surprising response when he asked himself that very question in the middle of a heated political discussion with a friend.

If you’re unsure how to talk about Christian Science with your friends, this author has some good insight: Instead of relying solely on your words, he says, let your life and your love for others do the talking.

Feeling ugly? So was this author. But it wasn’t a makeover, or new clothes, or a better haircut that helped her feel more beautiful. It was a better understanding of God.