A Sentinel Watch Interview with Mark Swinney
What can we do when we feel that our prayers lack inspiration and healing results? Mark Swinney, has found it to be immeasurably helpful to invite God in when he prays. Listen in to find out what he means.
Click here to listen to the interview.
These readings are from the Bible (KJV) and from the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and are on the topic of Thought, Wisdom and Understanding.
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Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
(The Bible – Proverbs 3: 5, 6, 13-18)
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At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p571: 15)
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In this Sentinel Watch interview Ethel Baker talks about how a clearer understanding of the nature of matter has aided in healing.
Click here to listen to the 30 minute chat.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
(The Bible KJV – Matthew 18: 21, 22)
If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
(The Bible KJV – I John 4: 12)
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And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.
( Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p497)
An article by a member of the Canberra Christian Science community (alternatively titled: Practice is essential) which was published in the 6 October 2025 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
I was walking across the lawn at the front of our house, enjoying the cool, squishy feeling of the grass under my bare feet, when suddenly there was an agonizing burning in my left foot. I live in Australia, where there are many things that bite and sting, and a pain of that magnitude is not a good thing. I spun around, looked down, and saw that I had been stung by a large wasp.
An often-used expression in Christian Science is “Know the truth.” It comes from Christ Jesus’ instruction “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Immediately, I did so, and as quickly as the first truthful, healing thought came, the pain left. There was no evidence of a sting, and I had no further reaction to it.
So what does knowing the truth really entail, and how can we be instant in our knowing of this truth that heals and protects?
As you can imagine, I was really grateful for the instantaneous nature of this healing. But healings are also wonderful learning experiences. Instead of thinking, “Wow! I’m glad that awful situation has passed,” I value how healings can help me to learn more about the law of God, divine Love, which governs me and all situations. I stop and think, “What worked there? Where was my thinking—was it on God or on the situation itself? What can I learn from this that will help me to be a more effective healer?”
I learned two lessons from this incident with the wasp. … Click here to read the full article: Practice is essential
All during my childhood and into my adult life I suffered terribly from allergies. There were many things in the environment that seemed to trigger reactions but the thing that upset me the most was my reaction to cats. I loved cats but to be even in a house where one had been caused me hours of distress. I grew up in a Christian Science family and through my parents’ prayers, I avoided, or recovered quickly from, many childhood illnesses. Somehow the allergies persisted.
As an adult, I joined the Christian Science church and gained much comfort from the teachings, based in the example of Jesus Christ, but I also sought medical help for the allergies. There was never any pressure on me not to do this, but after trying many remedies I still had no relief. Sometimes the side effects of the medication were worse than the condition so I stopped and just tried to manage the situation by avoiding as many of the irritants as I could.
On one occasion I travelled to the coast to stay with my parents for a few days. When I arrived I found that they were minding my sister’s cat. When I went to bed that night I found this large fluffy cat asleep on my pillow. Within a few minutes, I was in great distress. I struggled to stay calm. Though I knew they weren’t of God, recriminating thoughts flooded in as I tried to make sense of my continued suffering. I felt beaten.
But in that moment, as a result of my prayers, I also began to feel the touch of God’s love and grace. I realised, that as much as this condition had been part of my life for many years, it did not define me. Christian Science had been teaching me all along that my true identity is more than my body – as the Bible teaches, it is spiritual and good; that I am the image of God who is Love. In deep humility I accepted this with all my heart, and I felt a great sense of peace and of being loved. I fell asleep. I slept soundly till morning and woke completely well. Since that day I have never had an allergic reaction and for many years now I have lived happily with cats! This healing has encouraged me to find out more about my spiritual identity and how this understanding brings healing.
This article was originally published in the July 16 issue of the Canberra Weekly.
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When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
(The Bible KJV – Psalm 94: 18, 19)
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Universal Love is the divine way in Christian Science.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p266: 18)
Christian Science Canberra 