Gun violence in America and the war in Ukraine are both current tragedies that affect countless individuals and families. It is important to approach these issues with love and compassion, and we can do that with guidance from the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy and The Bible.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, wrote extensively about the power of prayer and the importance of turning to God for guidance and healing. She believed that by aligning ourselves with God’s love and wisdom, we can overcome even the most difficult challenges.
One of the key principles of Christian Science is the understanding that there is only one God, and that all individuals are spiritual beings created in God’s image and likeness. This means that regardless of our differences, we are all united in our inherent goodness and our connection to God.
When it comes to gun violence in America, it is clear that something needs to change. Too many lives are being lost to senseless acts of violence, and it is up to all of us to work towards a solution.
One way to approach this issue from a Christian Science perspective is to focus on the power of prayer. Rather than getting caught up in debates about gun control or other policy solutions, we can turn to God for guidance and healing. We can pray for those who have been affected by gun violence, asking God to comfort and strengthen them in their time of need. We can also pray for those who are perpetrating acts of violence, asking God to help them see the error of their ways and find a better path forward.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “God is not the author of sin, sickness, and death, or the creator of opposite powers such as matter, error and disease” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 182) This means that the violence we see in the world is not a reflection of God’s will or intention. Rather, it is the result of human error and misunderstanding. By turning to God for guidance and healing, we can begin to overcome these errors and find a path towards peace and harmony.
The war in Ukraine is another issue that requires our attention. Like gun violence in America, it is a tragedy that affects countless individuals and families. As with any conflict, there are often complex political and economic factors at play. However, we can also approach this issue from a spiritual perspective. One of the key teachings of The Bible is the importance of loving our enemies. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” This is a powerful reminder that even in times of conflict, we can approach others with love and compassion. Mary Baker Eddy also wrote about the power of love in overcoming conflict. She wrote, “Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 454) This means that by approaching the conflict in Ukraine with love and compassion, we can begin to find a way towards peace and reconciliation.
Of course, this is easier said than done. When we see images of violence and destruction on the news, it can be easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed. However, we can turn to God for strength and guidance. We can pray for the people of Ukraine, asking God to comfort and protect them in the midst of this conflict. We can also pray for the leaders of Ukraine and other countries involved in the conflict, asking God to guide them towards a peaceful resolution.
Ultimately, as Christian Scientists, we know that the power of God is greater than any problem we may face. We can trust in God’s love and wisdom to guide us through even the darkest of times. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Divine Love always has met and will always meet every human need.”(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 494). This means that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable problems like gun violence in America and the war in Ukraine, we can trust in God’s provision and guidance.
By turning to prayer and aligning ourselves with God’s love and wisdom, we can help to bring about healing and transformation in the world around us. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and to love one another as ourselves. In Matthew 22:36-40 Jesus teaches two great commandments,“Love the Lord God with all your heart and soul and with all your mind. And next, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Through prayer and spiritual practice, we can live out this calling in our daily lives, and work towards a world where peace and harmony are the norm. Gun violence in America and the war in Ukraine are two examples of the violence and conflict that seem to plague our world today. However, as Christian Scientists, we know that there is always hope for healing and redemption. By turning to God in prayer, we can help to create a spiritual atmosphere of love and harmony that can have a powerful impact on the situations we face. Ultimately, we can trust in God’s love and wisdom to guide us through even the darkest of times, and to bring about healing and transformation in our lives and in the world around us.
