The spiritual power of the Lord's Prayer was proved in my experience...

Georgiana Worthley

The spiritual power of the Lord's Prayer was proved in my experience during World War II, when I was living in a resort area in northern Florida.

I had been strolling along the water's edge in my bathing suit all afternoon and suddenly realized the sun was setting. Since there is no twilight in the tropics, in few minutes it was completely dark except for the reflection of a few stars on the waves. At that time there was a complete blackout of lights along the entire East Coast. It was also against the law for anyone to be on the beaches after sundown. Being low tide the beach was over three hundred feet wide, and I could not see through the inky darkness to locate any houses on the dunes.

When I was about two miles from home I heard the barking of dogs in the distance. As the sound became louder, I suddenly realized the dogs were running toward me, and I recalled that mastiffs had been trained to guard the beaches against invaders who might come ashore from submarines. Realizing I should not have been on the beach then, and also that animals could readily sense when their victims were afraid, I was filled with overwhelming fear of the dogs.

There was no place for me to take refuge ; no person to call upon for help. Only God could save me from this situation. Standing erect, motionless, with head held high, I closed my eyes and prayed the Lord's Prayer as loudly as I could above the barking of the dogs.

In seconds they arrived, skidding on the sand to an abrupt halt. Not one dog touched me although they circled around me several times and I could feel their hot breath upon me. I felt I was protected by an invisible shield. I continued praying the Lord's Prayer but couldn't resist opening my eyes. But I hurriedly shut them tight when I saw the size of the dogs and their flashing eyes and open mouths. In that brief glance I counted five. Suddenly with one accord they swung around and disappeared into the night. The barking stopped, and there was no sound except the padding of their feet along the sand. I was once again entirely alone.

My consciousness was overflowing with the oneness and glory of God's presence. The experience was so exalting that I seemed to float the rest of the way home as I sang hymns and expressed my gratitude to God for His ever-present panoply of love. This has always been an outstanding example to me of the great power of the Lord's Prayer to remove fear, to supply protection, and to restore harmony.

During many years our family has witnessed a variety of healings, including those of colds, influenza, so-called children's diseases, stomach ulcers, and migraine. Business problems have been solved, harmony restored in human relations, lost articles found, and the concept of home greatly enlarged.

It has been my happy privilege to serve in almost every capacity in Churches of Christ, Scientist, in various cities. I am deeply grateful for membership in The Mother Church and for class instruction.

(Mrs.) Georgiana Worthley, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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