"This is a healing church." I overheard this remark while leaving a Church of Christ, Scientist, one Sunday morning after an especially inspiring service. I knew that the members of this church always worked prayerfully before the service to establish a healing atmosphere, but now more than ever I sought an answer to the question, "What constitutes a healing atmosphere?"

Is it not the quiet realization of God's allness, the conviction that His healing power and presence fill all space, lifting thought above fear to the consciousness of love, peace, and harmony, that blesses the congregation? The prophet Zechariah admonished the people of his time: "Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation." ^{Zech. 2:13;} Silencing the material senses enables us to feel our oneness with God and to hear His voice.

Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "The infinite Truth of the Christ-cure has come to this age through a 'still, small voice,' through silent utterances and divine anointing which quicken and increase the beneficial effects of Christianity." ^{Science and Health, p. 367;}

It requires discipline to refrain from unnecessary conversation and haphazard material thinking before the church service to demonstrate the exalted state that lets in the healing Christ. The earnest desire to be a humble witness of the healing power of God makes this attainment possible.

Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, points out in her Miscellaneous Writings, "If people would confine their talk to subjects that are profitable, that which St. John informs us took place once in heaven, would happen very frequently on earth,—silence for the space of half an hour." ^{Mis., p. 339;} This observation, heeded, would open the way for quiet, prayerful communion with God, and healing would follow.

The healing effect of prayerful quietness proved true in the experience of a woman I know, who had a sudden attack of dizziness after seating herself in church. She reached for the Christian Science Hymnal and opened it, but she couldn't see the words. Almost instantly, however, in the stillness, fear disappeared. She felt the ever-present consciousness of God's healing power enveloping her, and she was quickly healed.

The quiet of Christian Science Reading Rooms also radiates spiritual healing through the prayerful mental work done there. Many healings take place and many problems are solved in the prayer-filled quiet where the presence of God is felt.

One day I entered a Reading Room just after a severe fall which injured my knee. I said to the librarian, "If I ever needed Christian Science, I certainly need it now." She lovingly said, "I'm sure you will receive the help you need," and she directed me to the study room and closed the door. I picked up the Bible and prayerfully opened it to this message from Isaiah: "Then shall the lame man leap as an hart." ^{Isa. 35:6;} Immediately the bone in my knee slipped back into place, and I walked out completely healed. Friends who had seen me limp in began to investigate Christian Science.

We can gratefully welcome every opportunity for consecrated prayer. Christ Jesus sometimes withdrew from the crowds and went up into the quiet hills to spend hours in communion with God. Thereby he gained power to perform many healing works and found the inner strength to withstand his persecutors. No sacrifice was too great for him to make to awake people to man's true immortal being and God's great love for them.

Christian Science shows us how to follow the example of our Master. Mrs. Eddy writes: "We must close the lips and silence the material senses. In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God's allness. We must resolve to take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love. We must 'pray without ceasing.'" ^{Science and Health, p. 15;}

Sometimes when evil appears to be real and overpowering, we need to hold more firmly to the spiritual fact that God is All, regardless of the clamor of the material senses. What we really desire is that the will of God be made manifest. We can see this prevail if we listen for His voice and confidently wait for the unfolding of His purpose. We can do as the Scriptures enjoin: "Be still, and know that I am God: ... I will be exalted in the earth." ^{Ps. 46:10.}