My experiences with those of various nations, racial groups, and ethnic backgrounds have thoroughly convinced me that most people want the world around them to be at peace. Many have been praying for the establishment of universal peace and the true brotherhood of man.

In my own prayers for peace, I have found this comment very helpful: "The good cannot lose their God, their help in times of trouble" (Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings, p. 10). The truth of this statement was clearly demonstrated in Kenya some years ago when our country stood face to face with a national tragedy.

Our government was overthrown in an abortive coup d'état that kept the nation in a state of shock. For some time prior to this event, Kenya had experienced relatively few political problems, so an upheaval of this magnitude was foreign to us and really frightening. When the coup occurred, I was in the capital city, Nairobi, where the country was hit the hardest, and I can attest to the efficacy of Christian Science and to the part the Nairobi branch of The Mother Church played in the healing work carried out by different churches to help neutralize the impact of this calamity.

I was at home one weekend when all of a sudden an announcement came over the Voice of Kenya radio program saying that the government had been overthrown by the armed forces. One prominent newscaster, who we later learned was repeating what the rebels told him at gunpoint, somberly told the nation that the head of State had been deposed by the military, and that citizens were to remain indoors until further notice. Everything was at a standstill, and very little information was being communicated. One could feel the tension building up as the country anxiously awaited the consequence of the revolution.

It was a great relief, of course, when we finally learned that the situation had been contained. This news item was followed by repeated messages urging the people to resume work the following morning.

On my way to work, however, upon reaching the outskirts of the city, my companions and I found the roads impassable because of the carnage from battles and a sea of automobiles that motorists had abandoned in their fear.

Had we known what lay ahead, we would have turned back. Instead, we elected to continue with our journey. Soon, though, we found ourselves confronted with the casualties of a conflict between the rebels and the army. And behind the bodies of those killed were armed soldiers pushing the crowd of people that jammed the street. Being in the presence of armed soldiers together with their equipment and other weapons of war was quite intimidating, but what made the situation even more frightening was the random gunfire we heard as fugitives were gunned down in the neighborhood. Many people were shaking hysterically or weeping uncontrollably. Others were praying.

I was cherishing the fact that our heavenly Father loves all equally and does not leave any of His dear children vulnerable or prone to misfortune. I also thought about Jesus' discernment of God's love and protecting power. The Gospel of John records him saying: "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (14:27).

As the crowd edged into the city with hands up displaying identification cards, I reflected upon the spiritual nourishment I had gained from Christian Science. In particular, I was grateful to have learned that one can drive evil away without violence. If one were to walk into a dark room and let in the light by raising the window shades or lighting a lamp, the darkness would disappear without any resistance. Why? Because darkness, unlike light, has no source or origin. So when light appears, darkness has no choice but to disappear. Yet the light applies no physical force to drive out the darkness. By the same token, I reasoned, we can eradicate error and rout out vice dispassionately, through the spiritual perception that God's children are always upright and, therefore, are not susceptible to impulsive or unscrupulous conduct.

The first chapter of Genesis, which establishes God's creation as complete and entirely good, is to me "the head stone of the corner," the "stone which the builders refused" (Ps. 118:22). And it is on this basis of an all-good God and His perfect, spiritual creation that we can prove the powerlessness of evil. Science and Health states: "Mankind must learn that evil is not power. Its so-called despotism is but a phase of nothingness. Christian Science despoils the kingdom of evil, and pre-eminently promotes affection and virtue in families and therefore in the community" (pp. 102-103).

The executive board of our local church wasted no time in alerting members and friends about the need to pray for the resumption of peace. A special members' meeting that was convened revolved around the idea of the true nature of man as God's reflection, as divine Love's likeness, not as a willful mortal craving political power. The Wednesday testimony meeting also brought out the idea of God as the Supreme Ruler of the universe, including man. I remember finding this stanza from the Christian Science Hymnal particularly comforting and encouraging:

I know that these meetings, together with many people's prayers, helped calm the situation considerably, and by the end of the week things were back to normal.

Trying situations, whether big or small, are opportunities to glorify God through the realization that discord of any nature is unknown to God, just as darkness is unknown to light.

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6