The prayer that heals us (dogs & cats too)

This blog post by my colleague and friend in Texas, Keith Wommack, illustrates the all inclusiveness of God’s presence and efficacy in health care.  I know you will enjoy reading his thoughts on this topic.   John D. Clague, Christian Science Committee on Publication for Oregon.

by Keith Wommack, Christian Science Committee on Publication for Texas

The prayer that heals us (dogs and cats too) is not a matter of wishing and hoping for the best. It is based on spiritual laws. It is reliable and responsible. It makes us see more clearly how God has spiritually made us. It teaches us how loved and safe we are. Just ask Lee and Sambo.

You see, Lee loves her 12 year old dog, Sambo. Lee and Sambo live on a ranch in east Texas. The ranch is about an hour away from town. One evening, when her husband was out of town, Lee saw a five foot Timberback Rattlesnake in front of her in the yard. Lee grabbed her twenty-two rifle and started shooting. Sambo saw what was happening and rushed to protect Lee. He caught the rattler in his mouth but the snake bit him.

After lots of excitement, Lee called her neighbors (who live two miles away). They came and took care of the snake. But already Sambo showed the violent symptoms of a deadly snake bite. He quickly became stiff. Lee then called a veterinarian. The vet told Lee she was too far away. Sambo needed instant help.

Lee then remembered that a friend had given her a copy ofScience and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by Mary Baker Eddy. Christian Science is the Bible-based method of spiritual healing discovered by Eddy. Lee had used the ideas from this spiritual guidebook along with the Bible several times when she needed comfort. So, while Sambo lay in her arms, she prayed, using what she was learning.

For a solid hour she prayed. Then her neighbors suggested Lee call the vet again. Since Sambo was still alive, the vet said to come immediately. She prayed all the way to town. About five minutes before they reached the vets office, Sambo sat up in Lee’s lap and acted normal.

The vet couldn’t believe it. He said in all his years he’d only seen one dog survive a snake bite from a snake that big. However, the vet told Lee that Sambo would be lethargic for several days. And the next day Sambo was lethargic. He lay in one spot. He didn’t move.

This is when Lee called me. Lee was calling because she knew I was learning how Christian Science heals. I agreed to pray with Lee for Sambo. And I did. Sambo then got up, ate, wagged his tail, and was fine. Sambo was Sambo again. Lee knows that without prayer she would have lost Sambo.  And Sambo is again running around the ranch in east Texas.

Again, the prayer that heals us (dogs and cats too) is not a matter of wishing and hoping for the best. It is based on spiritual laws. It is reliable and responsible. Just ask Lee and Samdo.

Have you experienced or seen prayer heal? Please comment on what you are learning.