When Focus on the Family was in its early stages and our children were young, my husband, Jim was often traveling. I had grown accustomed to his absences and was never really frightened while he was away.

After all, I knew God was protecting us. Jim and I have prayed for our family throughout our marriage, and God always honored our simple trust with his protection. So even when Jim was away, I slept in peace. Except once.

One night about 2:00 A.M., I awoke with a start. I was afraid and didn't know why. For a few minutes (it seemed like hours!), I lay in bed worrying. Finally, I forced myself out of bed and sank to my knees.

"Oh, Lord," I prayed, "I don't know why I'm so frightened. I ask you to watch over our home and to protect our family. Send your guardian angel to be with us." I climbed back into bed, and in about half an hour I was able to fall back asleep.

The next morning our teen-aged babysitter, who lived across the street, came running over. "Mrs. Dobson, did you hear what happened? A burglar robbed your next-door neighbor's house last night!"

It was true. A thief had broken in, entered the couple's bedroom while they slept and snatched the husband's wallet from a dresser. The burglar escaped with the family's vacation money, about $500.

Then the baby-sitter told me the police had determined the time of the robbery: about 2:00 A.M., the same time I had awakened in fear!

My mind reeled at the thought. "If a burglar wanted to break into our house," I said, "he would probably try to get in through the bathroom window near our children's bedrooms. There's a hedge, and he'd be shielded from view. Let's go look."

When we walked to the window on the other side of the house, we saw that the screen was bent and the sill was splintered. Someone had indeed tried to break in!

The police later told me if the burglar had really wanted to get in, he would have. What had happened to stop him?

I am convinced God protected us through my panicked prayer. Something—or Someone—had discouraged the burglar from entering our house.

I was surprised, but I should not have been. For years Jim and I had prayed and fasted, trusting God to protect our family. We knew God powerfully works through prayer. Then on that dark early morning my trust was tested in a frantic moment, and God again proved faithful.

I can't explain why God allows difficulties to come into our lives even though we are praying. But I know that even in those circumstances he is "an ever-present help in trouble." That is why we can say, with the psalmist, "We will not fear…. The Lord Almighty is with us."