A Scream and a Rabid Dog

Do you pray? What do you pray? The Bible tells us that we should pray to God. He tells us that we can ask Him for anything, and He will answer (see Matt. 7:7). Sometimes His answer doesn’t really match what we asked for, but God is very wise, and He knows how best to answer our prayers.

When I was 11, I went to a church that was out in the country. There were two farms right next to our church’s property. One Sabbath between Sabbath School and the church service, my friend Deanna and I were outside with my 2-year-old brother, Jonathan. The church service was about to start, and everyone else had gone inside. Deana saw a dog across the field. She called to it.

The dog walked up to us. His mouth was full of white, foamy saliva, and he had a really big cut across his nose. He seemed friendly at first, and Deana started to pet him. I was a little scared, but then I petted Him too.

All of a sudden the dog went crazy and started shaking his head back and forth while growling and barking. Before I could blink, Deanna grabbed my brother and ran across the driveway and up the church steps. I was alone with the dog.

I was afraid that the dog had rabies and would bite me. I imagined turning and running and the dog leaping onto my back, dragging me down. I didn’t know what to do, so I prayed.

I asked Jesus to help me so I wouldn’t get attacked. The dog took a step closer to me. The foam was dripping from his mouth, and he growled again, showing me his teeth. He had blood in his mouth and on his nose.

Right after I said my quick prayer, a voice in my head (God) told me to scream as loud as I could, because that would frighten the dog and he’d run away. Staring at the dog, I took a deep breath and screamed! The dog immediately turned and ran.

I thanked Jesus and went over to Deana and Jonathan. I had screamed so loudly that I couldn’t talk for several minutes. But I was glad that Jesus had heard and answered my prayer and that I didn’t get bitten by the angry dog.

Bible Treasure

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him” (Ps. 91:14, 15, ESV).*

DISCUSS:

Have you had a scary experience that you needed to be rescued from? How did God help you?

*Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.