Article August 3, 1987 Issue

The prayer that is a spiritual feeling

Sometimes prayer simply can't be put into words. It's an unmistakable, irresistible sense of God's goodness, an assurance that in His presence all is well.

Mary Lou Daniel

My husband and I had just moved into a large student housing complex with our two young children. One evening the older—a three-year-old—was out in the yard playing with other children. As it grew dark I went out to get her, but she was nowhere to be found. All the other children had gone in, and I could feel fear rising within me. I immediately began to pray, but I found myself frantically running everywhere. In a few minutes my husband, the neighbors—everyone around— were in on the search but to no avail.

Finally I realized I must get still. The Bible reminds us, "Be still, and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10. I stood very still in the dark of the evening, affirming the all-presence of God, good. I knew that divine Love would help me if I would just listen.

It was hot fall weather, and the sounds of children could be heard from every window as the youngsters were being put to bed. As I stood there quietly reaching out to God, the feeling that He would help me deepened. Suddenly, through the inner stillness, I heard a cry way off in the distance, which I knew belonged to my daughter. I quietly started walking toward the cry as gratitude welled up within. Many buildings away, there she was, standing alone in the dark, crying.

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