A Christian Romance

Chapter 9 - Praying for revival

As worship leader in his own time, Ralph focused on true spiritual revival for the Larking's Church, but that responsibility took a toll on him and ultimately on his family. Because he needed to rescue what was left of his marriage, he quit and gave up that responsibility. And for ages, he thought he was serving out of love...

It is awfully easy to take for granted that we are serving the church out of love. We need to stop and question ourselves why we serve; that happened to Ralph one day when serving became too easy, and family time became harder than ever, the routine came and remained. Then Adam came to the church band; his service, the words that came out of his mouth, so spirit-filled, so touching, that was a brush of fresh air for the church. David's son not only inspired people by his words, but also by his attitudes and lifestyle; he had inspired Ralph to go back to his first love for God, for his wife and kids, and for life.

Adam was so highly regarded, that seeing him leave their commitment to pray for the church became one of Ralph's biggest disappointments. Whenever they gathered to pray, Adam was either too tired or distracted by the circumstances around him, specially by Debora. Eventually, he left, abandoning Ralph in that spiritual battlefield.

Still Ralph was committed to praying for true revival in the church he served for many years and sought God for counsel. The response came in a dream where he fought alone in a fierce battle; he couldn't stand his ground. The enemies overpowered him and he was faint and hopeless, lying there on the dust. Suddenly, his body started energizing by the presence of two other people on each side, whose faces he identified as his wife - Michelle - and Debora - the new female voice. They knew that their best effort wouldn't be enough to defeat the millions of opponents surrounding them, so they asked for God's control and power; for there is power when God is in control. And then, a mighty power came down from heaven like a vehement wind and destroyed their enemies with a single blow.

When the dream was over, he knew who to call.
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No matter how spiritually mature you are, there will always be events in life that are beyond understanding, like Joel: such connection, such chemistry, such understanding, great talks, and - above all - supposed to be an answered prayer to Debora's cry for help to let Adam go, and now, he wouldn't even talk to her.

Joshua, Adam, Joel and all other men and their troubles! That was why she had decided to swear them off in the first place. What made her think that men would be different in Australia? They were all the same mass, but at least this time she had fully committed her emotional life to God, allowing His full control.

She was finally at peace with men and confirmed that on the day of the new photographer's arrival. When entering the office, all she heard was an hysterical Florencia screaming:

"The photographer we selected yesterday will arrive for interview in a few minutes."

Debora sat down at her desk and started her laptop.

"You are going to interview him." Florencia announced, kind of blasé.

"Me?"

"I'll go with you, but you'll make the questions. I think you know exactly what we need in a photographer."

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

Her boss shook her head playfully and observed the young lady and how focused she was on work. She wished that Debora would never leave that company, for that girl was one of the most reliable and professional workers ever. If Debora didn't find some Australian to marry in less than two years, her days in that country were counted. That was probably the reason why Florencia so eagerly tried to match Debora with some guy that seemed decent.