A Christian Science practitioner will talk about faith

Nearly everywhere you turn, there's talk about how Americans need to live healthier lives, reduce stress and simplify their daily routines.

Maryl Walters will explain more about prayer-based solutions to today's problems during a radio interview at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on KAPE-AM 1550.

Walters, a Christian Science practitioner from St. Louis, often leads workshops and seminars on spiritual healing.

Spirituality has practical outcomes in life, Walters explains. "In a recent study, 82 percent of all Americans said they believe in the healing power of prayer," she said. "So there is definitely a conviction out there that prayer has good outcomes. And in fact, the scientific evidence of the health benefits of prayer and a spiritual practice is dramatic."

People are looking for physical healing that they can't find in modern medicine, Walters said. Some seek healing for their finances or for a broken relationships. "We all have huge concerns about what's going on in the world. At times the challenges we face can seem pretty overwhelming. I've devoted my life to searching for an understanding of God that makes a difference -- that brings healing."

Walters recommends "Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy as the book that has been a good resource for her life. "It's a book that has helped so many people be healed of so many different kinds of challenges," she said.

Mary Baker Eddy also is the founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Her book "Science and Health" was written to help people understand their relationship with God in terms of mental, emotional and physical health.

Walters believes prayer is a powerful tool and has had personal proof that it can bring healing.

As a young mother, Walters turned to God during a time when her newborn child had a bad cold and fever. "I don't know who needed comforting the most -- the sobbing baby or me."

During her time of stress, Walters remembered words from the Bible. "I simply reached for God with all my heart. The thought came immediately in the most wonderful words, straight from the Bible: 'As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.' I did indeed feel comforted with that assurance that God was my mother as well as the baby's mother, and that right there in our little home there was only God's will -- health, love, peace -- to experience for both of us."

Shortly after, the baby's fever broke and he was completely well. "That's the kind of healing I've come to expect because of the nature of God as unconditional love and unlimited life."

People continue to search for answers to their health problems and other woes but often end up in a quest for spiritual guidance. "In most cases, people haven't gone any further than to note how the human mind can affect health. The great breakthrough you find when you read "Science and Health," is that it deals with health and life from a totally spiritual basis. ... It presents health as God-given and God-governed rather than body-governed or controlled by the human mind."

On the Net

www.spirituality.com.