It was a beautiful windy day, and the boys and their sister decided to take their sailboat across the bay. The wind was whipping across the upper lake at a good speed; it would make an exciting trip. They told Mother of their plans, then made their way out to the sailboat in the dinghy. Sails hoisted, they cast off from the buoy, caught the wind, and sped along over the rough water. Often they had to scramble from one side to another. It was thrilling to ride high on the rail and see how close the mast and sail could come to the water's edge without spilling.

But the wind grew stronger, and the sky became dark. Realizing a storm was approaching, the children decided to head straight for home. The boat was sturdy, but too small to stay in a bad summer storm on this large lake. They had been out in bad weather before, but always with Dad at the helm.

As the little boat and its crew started on its run for home, the winds were boisterous. It seemed they would rip the sails from the grommets and leave the boat helpless in the heaving water. With every lurch and fall of the boat the children grew more afraid.

Finally Liz said, "I think we'd better pray. Remember the time when Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat, and the disciples wakened him because they were afraid? Boy, I sure wish he were here now because I'm scared."

"Well," her younger brother said, "let's do what Jesus did. He silenced the wind. I guess we do that first of all by silencing fear."

"How, when I'm so afraid?" Liz asked.

"We could start by saying the children's prayer Mrs. Eddy wrote. At night it makes me feel quiet," Dave answered.

"Sure," the older brothers said almost in unison, "But you're home in your own bed then. No wonder you feel safe! And Mom and Dad are there."

"Well, I'll bet Mom is home praying for us right now," Dave countered. And he, and then the others, began to think about the prayer:

One of the boys said, "That's it. We just have to be humble enough to listen, and trust God will lead us to do the right thing." Fear quieted, the children set about stabilizing the boat as best they could, each one continuing to pray, "Patient, meek/In the way Thou hast." Before they knew it they could see their dock.

Mother had noticed the weather conditions too, and, turning on the radio, had heard tornado warnings for the lake area. When she realized the children had been on the lake a long time her heart sank. At first the whole picture frightened her. There was no one she could call on to help her children in the boat. She thought, "This is a time for prayer."

Being Christian Scientists, this family prayed a lot. They had learned to turn to God for every need, trusting that prayer, as Christ Jesus taught, is answered. Scientists feel certain that God's will for man is good, always. There are no lost or forgotten children of God; all share in His love equally and without interruption.

So it was natural for Mother to begin to pray the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father which art in heaven." ^{See Matt. 6:9-13.} Heaven, she reasoned, is the atmosphere of Soul, where harmony reigns, where man and nature are God's spiritual ideas, governed by His law. She knew the children were actually in this atmosphere of Soul, not in material sense.

"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven"—Mother went on thinking through the prayer. God is always present, always in control, and His will is supreme. His law forever supplies man with all that is necessary. Calm, intelligence, clear direction— these are the "bread" supplied to man.

She knew her debt to God was to acknowledge His presence, His power over all, and the irrefutable spiritual evidence that His children were safe that very moment. Mother also recognized the importance of being led not into the temptation of doubt or fear, but into a heartfelt acceptance of "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever."

And at that point, into the house came four very wet, soggy kids with smiling faces. They were elated over their wonderful experience and wanted to share it. "Mother, Mother, it was terrific," they clamored, each vying for the chance to tell how they had worked together and prayed their way across the lake.

Newspapers the next morning carried stories of seven tornadoes letting down in the lake area, tossing large boats onto shore, breaking up docks, uprooting trees. There was no loss of life.

The Christian Scientists were especially grateful for the power of prayer and for evidence of God's protection and tender care for all His children.

Note to parents:

In hearing experiences like the above, people might speculate that the children would have got home safely anyway; how does anyone know for sure that prayer is a factor in happy endings?

Many Bible narratives tell of people who, like the Psalmist, looked to God for help: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust." ^{Ps. 56:3, 4.}

Similarly, Christian Scientists are convinced that there is a law of God, of spiritual reality, which includes the harmonious functioning of every aspect of His creation. They do not believe prayer makes things happen for the better. But prayer, or alignment with this spiritual law, countermands supposed material laws and effects, including notions of chance.

To the family involved in the storm there was no question that the children's safe landing coincided with the power of prayer that brings even a human sense of life and safety into line with spiritual reality. Natural gratitude for having felt the truth of God's ever-presence prompted this narrative of a true experience.