Faith at Gunpoint

In the spring of 2014, Daniel and Colleen Jaquith, American missionaries to the Philippines, were awakened suddenly by the sounds of gunfire and shouts. Before they could react, a gunman appeared in their bedroom doorway, and he was holding a gun to the head of a pastor. 

Demanding money, the intruder was distracted when that pastor suggested he look in another part of the room for money. This gave the pastor just enough time to overpower him. 

This whole time, the Jaquiths were on their knees—praying. 

Now, how many of us would’ve had the steadiness to do something like that, instead of diving for cover? This couple, full of faith and trusting in the strength of the Lord, had the discipline to pray while the pastor struggled with the intruder. 

Incredibly, the intruder yelled at them to stop praying. The scene was surreal. And yet the spirit of the Lord was in the room that night. As the pastor began to overpower him, a wild shot hit Dan in the arm. This began another ordeal in the following hours, as they made their way by boat, a 16-hour trip, to a mainland hospital in Luzon. 

While relaxing back in the U.S., Dan recalled the lessons they learned in the aftermath. Here’s what he said, “I share this testimony with deep gratefulness to be alive, and for the ability to give the Lord praise for His mighty deliverance during that desperate time of trouble.” His wife Colleen remembered what it was like helping her bleeding husband, aware that many more hours of praying were coming. 

Little more than six months later, they returned home to Oregon for a visit, where they were able to enjoy seeing family and friends. Truly, they were so happy to be alive and thriving they forgot about the stress of their ordeal in the Philippines. 

In this amazing story, we’re reminded in Luke 1:45 that God supernaturally takes away our stress when we believe in Him: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” 

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for the path you’ve secured for us in a stressful world. Your kindness to us is almost too much to process, because you not only make a way for us to receive your promises, but you bless us, too. You’re a good God, and if we just claim the promises you’ve already provided, we can experience abundant life—even in a chaotic world. In Jesus’ name, amen.