Article July 18, 2011 Issue

Prayer in an earthquake

By Norman Anderson

Recently a friend and fellow Christian Scientist said to me, “Isn’t it wonderful that we never have to fear, under any circumstances?”

What he meant by this, he said, was that we can always know that God is our refuge and help, no matter what the present, past, or future circumstances. We can face any challenge with the certain knowledge of God’s protecting power and all-embracing love. Both my friend and I recalled the comforting words in Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (41:10).

As a lifelong student of Christian Science, I have had many opportunities to realize the truth of what my friend said. In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy wrote: “Man, made in His likeness, possesses and reflects God’s dominion over all the earth. Man and woman as coexistent and eternal with God, forever reflect, in glorified quality, the infinite Father-Mother God” (p. 516). This makes it clear that I can never be apart from God, never without His care and protection. Based on this, I have never doubted my oneness with God.