Prayer as a Healing Agent

ANNIE M. KNOTT

IT has been said that all things come to those who wait, and in keeping with this familiar adage we note the admission made before the British Medical Association, by one of its members. It seems that at its annual meeting, Dr. Hyslop, a specialist in neurology and in the treatment of mental disease, said, among other things, "As an alienist, and one whose whole life has been concerned with the sufferings of the mind, I would state that of all hygienic measures to counteract disturbed sleep, depressed spirits, and all the miserable sequels of a distressed mind, I would undoubtedly give the first place to the simple habit of prayer."

In last week's issue of the Sentinel, attention was called to the recent utterances of an English bishop with respect to the efficacy of prayer, and now we have this admission from the medical profession. Not very long since, it was customary for ministers who admitted that Christian Science heals the sick, to find fault with it for teaching the causal relation of prayer to this healing. On the other hand, a good many doctors admitted that as a religion Christian Science was all right, but they have denied the efficacy of prayer in the healing of the sick.

Christian Scientists are always glad to observe the disappearance of prejudice, whether theological or medical, and see a hopeful sign of the times in Dr. Hyslop's statement that prayer should have "the first place" in the treatment of what are called mental or nervous ailments, inasmuch as it can do more for sufferers from these disorders "than any other therapeutic agent." They welcome even this slight concession, and regard it as a promise of the ultimate recognition of true prayer as the only "therapeutic agent," not only for nervous disorders, but for all the ills of a stricken human race.

It is quite likely that many may smile when they read this new medical prescription, and some may wonder whether the efficacy of prayer will be increased by the authority of the schools. One might almost fancy that people had ignored its possibilities until thus aroused. This, however, was doubtless far from the doctor's thought. From the earliest days sufferers have sought divine aid, though usually after material means had been exhausted. Then, with faltering faith, many have asked for help only to be seemingly denied, in spite of our Lord's unequivocal promises to all who should seek it.

A religious writer of prominence has said that unanswered prayers are responsible for much infidelity, but he does not thus imply that the Almighty fails to hear or heed prayer; on the contrary, he tries to show that the human methods are wrong. That such is the case is proved by the experiences of the many who are healed in Christian Science after they had prayed long and unavailingly, as it seemed, before they understood the deep import of the Scripture teaching,—"He that cometh to God must believe ...that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,"—also, that God must be worshiped, not materially, but in spirit and in truth." Too many have blindly prayed God to bless the use of material remedies,—not knowing that they were thus denying the all-power of Spirit, denying the truth which makes free from both sin and sickness,—and then wondered why their prayers were unanswered, as in the case of one who, because of many such disappointments, could only cry out in anguish, "O God, if there be a God."

Those who are healed in Christian Science shake off in large measure their old superstitions and fears with their diseases, and they at the same time gain a deepened sense of love and reverence for God, whom they now approach by "a new and living way,"—in spirit and in truth,—even as the Bible teaches. They also know that the truth is the only real "therapeutic agent," because it heals morally while healing physically; and they know, too, that their progress in both these respects is dependent upon their assimilation of the truth. As before stated, Christian Scientists rejoice in every indication of an awakening to the value of spirituality, and only urge the recognition of the divine Principle of healing in order that humanity may establish its trust upon the rock,—Christ, Truth,—and so survive every storm that may arise.

ANNIE M. KNOTT.

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September 30, 1905

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