The Prayer of Tobias & Sarah

The Book of Tobit is one of my favorite books of the Bible; it's also one of the most overlooked. I hope that by the time you've read this you will think that this is a huge oversight. I think the thing that impressed me the most about it was the way parts of Tobit feel like they belong in modern times, rather than thousands of years ago.

Tobit is the story of Tobias and Sarah. Sarah has been married seven times, but on her wedding night, each time, the demon Asmodeus kills her new husband. Tobias is on his way to Media when he meets another traveler. He doesn't know it, but the other traveler is the angel Raphael in disguise.

After Tobias and Sarah meet and get married, Tobias uses some advice Raphael gave him to defeat Asmodeus.

Then Tobias remembered the words of Raphael, and he took the fish’s liver and heart out of the bag where he had them and put them on the embers of the incense. The odor of the fish so repelled the demon that he fled to the remotest parts of Egypt [the desert]. But Raphael followed him, and at once bound him there hand and foot.
Tobit 8:2-3

This section sounds like something more in sync with The Lord of the Rings than other parts of the Bible.

Tobit isn't just a story about a married couple, an angel and a demon, though. It is also a story about how God answers prayers. Right after Raphael drives out the demon Tobias and Sarah know they should immediately pray to God because they are so grateful for the help and happiness he has given them.

Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors,
and blessed is your name in all generations for ever.
Let the heavens and the whole creation bless you for ever.
You made Adam, and for him you made his wife Eve
as a helper and support.
From the two of them the human race has sprung.
You said, “It is not good that the man should be alone;
let us make a helper for him like himself.”
I now am taking this kinswoman of mine,
not because of lust,
but with sincerity.
Grant that she and I may find mercy and that we may grow old together.
Tobit 8:5-8

How has God helped you out of a bad situation, like he helped Sarah and Tobias? When have you, unlike Tobias and Sarah, not been quick to thank God, when He has answered your prayers?

The other nice thing about Tobit is (hint!) its short. Short enough to be read in an afternoon (hint!).