I’m not exactly sure why Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science, called our form of affirmative prayer “treatment,” but he did. Just like he called prayer partners “practitioners.” Treatment and practitioners sound more clinical and perhaps “scientific” which goes along with the name Religious Science. No matter the reason, we treat for ourselves or others from the standpoint of oneness or wholeness; from the recognition that God/ Love is all there is and therefore each of us is God in expression. From that basic premise we proceed to speak our word or claim what it is we wish to experience. The fourth step in treatment is thanksgiving for knowing our word has been received by the Law and is right now established in Mind. The _ fifth and final step is to release or let go of any question or concern. To know and have absolute faith our good is now coming to us in right and perfect timing, and to also accept that it might come wrapped in a different package than what our finite mind may have conceived. So, one of the expressions we use in Religious Science aka: New Thought, is to “treat and move your feet.” That means we recognize our wholesome desires enhance our lives and others lives. But we don’t just sit in a lotus position humming a chant waiting for our good to drop from the sky. We move. We ask for guidance. We listen to the promptings of our still small voice, our intuition, and then do something toward that end. Holmes and others have said, “God can only do for us, what He/It can do through us.” We are the vehicle or avenue through which good works are realized. So, the next time you have a desire, and you know I’m talking about a desire which literally means “from the Father,” a wholesome desire, go within and recognize your oneness with the One. Speak your word in the affirmative present that this is now fulfilled in right and perfect order and timing. Give thanks it is done and release it. Finish with Amen, or And so it is, or And it is so!
Say with me: “I treat or pray knowing my word has power and I am divinely guided to do my part to fulfill the accomplishment of my desire. I am grateful, joyous, and free. “ And it is so!
—Rev. Gay Beauregard, Alpine Church of Spiritual Living