It was the conversation with a friend concerning her struggle with alcoholism that alerted me to pray about man's true nature as the spiritual child of God. This prayerful metaphysical work led to the healing of a difficulty I had been having.

One idea that helped me a lot as I began this focused prayer was from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy The textbook states (p. 73): "God controls man, and God is the only Spirit. Any other control or attraction of so-called spirit is a mortal belief, which ought to be known by its fruit,—the repetition of evil." I looked up many helpful references to order and control in the writings of Mrs. Eddy

As a result of this prayerful study, I became very aware of a habit I had long felt I might never be free of. For years I had been waking up in the middle of the night and "raiding" the refrigerator. This insomnia and compulsive eating left me tired the next day and embarrassed by my own lack of control. Often I felt like a victim. I tried various human alternatives such as eating more during the day, reading at night, and not keeping tempting goodies in the house.

In an effort to pray about alcoholism, however, I wanted to prove that what I was knowing was really true—for me, too. I called a practitioner of Christian Science for help through prayer. Of all the constructive ideas shared with me, the one that stuck like glue was that man is not compulsive, that he is impelled by divine Life itself to do right. I had never realized I could refuse this behavior that seemed so much a part of me. A passage in the Bible was brought to my attention. In Deuteronomy we read (30:19),"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

After praying with these thoughts that day, I had hope that the problem had been solved. That night I went to sleep with this thought on my mind, that I move "at the impulse of Thy [God's] love," which is a line from Hymn 324 in the Christian Science Hymnal. I knew I was in truth spiritual, not a struggling mortal that unpleasant traits could cling to. I also knew that I was governed by God and not temptation. Although I did wake up that night, I did not open the refrigerator. All fear of this habit, and the habit itself, left me.

It has been over a year now, and the insomnia too has been completely healed, although I had had this condition for twenty-two years prior to this healing. The truth is I can hardly believe it was ever a problem for me because I now always experience only a restful, full night's sleep without interruption. I feel that I followed this directive in Science and Health (p. 442): "Christian Scientists, be a law to yourselves that mental malpractice cannot harm you either when asleep or when awake." I know that it was Christian Science that healed me.

I also was involved in another situation that proved to me Christian Science heals. I was out with a friend when his car was stolen. We had parked and left the car for just minutes and returned to find that the car and all my friend's personal belongings were gone, including his briefcase with his year's tax and legal papers, as well as the keys to his office and house.

My friend is not a Christian Scientist, but he gave me permission to get in touch with a practitioner, who agreed to pray about the situation and assured me that God impels man's integrity. I told my friend that we should know that whoever took his car could be led by God to do the right thing. I also remembered a passage from the Bible which states (Job 32:8): "There is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."

I never had a doubt the car would be recovered with the belongings intact, although the police felt this would not be the case. They said the car would probably be stripped and unrecognizable if it was recovered.

After two weeks, however, my friend received a call from the police saying there had been a miracle. His car had been found in excellent condition with only a broken window and the radio missing. All his personal effects were in the trunk. In addition, many handbags of other people containing identification were also in the trunk, and the police were able to return these as well. To say that I was overjoyed would be an understatement.

I'm so grateful to be a student of Christian Science. I appreciate all the large and small ways we can share this healing truth.

Janey Alexander
New York, New York