Bill Shankly, a successful football manager in England’s former First Division famously said, “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death… I can assure you it is much more important than that.” It often seems that way, observing the passion of sports fans. But there’s another way to think about life and sports. Like the best in art and culture, the best in sport is the opportunity to demonstrate the allness and presence of Life, God, in wonderful, healing ways. That’s illustrated in a kid’s, a teen’s, and an adult’s soccer experience we’ve chosen to highlight from our archives in this special issue (first posted online last week). God’s glorification is the spiritual victory each took home.
This week's issue
June 8, 2026 |
June 15, 2026
“One day in a training session attended by the most famous soccer team in Argentina, I suffered a leg injury.”
Soccer season wasn’t starting out the way this varsity player had hoped. Could she pray about her performance? Or what was her real goal?
It all came down to the final kick of the game. But instead of giving in to pressure, this soccer player knew that she could pray.
If practicing Christian Science is about more than just fixing our problems, then what is the higher goal? This week, we speak with Bob Cochran, who shares what he’s learned is the goal and how this new understanding has strengthened and blessed his practice of Christian Science.
From the editors
Christ Jesus describes where we live in three words: ”kingdom of heaven.” Where exactly is that? And what does living there mean for us?
A CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE FROM
We can look to our divine Parent for guidance and provision that don’t fail.
If we are constantly seeking to see God’s qualities expressed, enjoying a game or a match becomes memorable beyond its entertainment value.
From the editors
Getting beyond a limiting, human ego can be invaluable. How does knowing that the truths we pray are true for all help us resolve lingering problems?
If you’ve ever felt far away from God, this week’s show is for you. Our guest, Deborah Packer, shares what she’s learned from Jesus’ teachings, and her own experiences, about how close we actually always are with God. And how understanding this oneness better can bring us healing and help us heal others, too.
Soccer season wasn’t starting out the way this varsity player had hoped. Could she pray about her performance? Or what was her real goal?
This author appreciated the ideas she was learning in Christian Science Sunday School, but she wasn’t convinced they all applied to her … until she had a healing that proved otherwise.
It all came down to the final kick of the game. But instead of giving in to pressure, this soccer player knew that she could pray.
Mary Baker Eddy once spoke of there being “Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth.” When soccer fans geared up for the 2014 World Cup games in Brazil, the local Christian Science churches geared up, too, with prayer and plans, to reach the “seekers” who were coming to town.
Read about the release of “Sports and Prayer,” a motivating set of articles about leaning on God in athletics. And in case you missed it, two recent updates to support our sharing of Christian Science with the public.
“I came to understand that my God-given health, joy, purity, and innocence cannot be taken from me.”
“I reasoned that every good deed I do contributes to my reservoir of strength.”
“I started to see myself as an expression of God, reflecting perfection and harmony.”
“One day in a training session attended by the most famous soccer team in Argentina, I suffered a leg injury.”
