Thomas Mitchinson, whose nickname is Tim, is a Christian Science practitioner from Naperville, Illinois. He has worked with legislators in Illinois and Washington, DC, on issues relating to the Church of Christ, Scientist. This chat has been edited for readability.

From Washington State: How do you keep from getting discouraged by all the political name-calling and lack of conciliation? 

Tim: We have to turn our attention away from television, from the Internet, from the radio, and even for a while, from the problems themselves, and to be willing to give God our complete attention. As Jesus put it, “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 6:6).