Article March 18, 2019 Issue

Prayer protected me at gunpoint

Norm Daley

With so many news reports of violence, we might find ourselves wondering, “What would I do if I were in that situation?”

If we prayed, would we get the answer we needed quickly enough for it to be helpful? The Bible promises, “He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man” (Psalms 18:48). Can we truly trust God to deliver us from violence, or would some plan of action based on human judgment and experience be more practical, more effective than prayer?

When I’ve been faced with violence, it’s been natural to pray—and to expect results. But I’ve learned that this prayer must be deeply earnest, trusting my welfare and that of those around me to God and obediently following God-inspired guidance about what to say or do, even if it seems to defy common human reasoning.

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