Mom and Rachael and Janet all looked shocked, and at the same time Mom looked happy because now we all knew whose fault it would be if we did miss the next train. Mom gathered us around to pray, and I made sure I was standing so I could open my eyes a little and see what Dad was doing in his rebellion against the Lord, because you never could tell how swiftly the Lord’s anger might spill over on Dad like the Midianites smiting the Jews when they turned away from God. Maybe Dad would be eaten by worms like Herod as soon as he opened the Newsweek and read about worldly things while Mom did what she was supposed to and took the train to the Lord in prayer.

Mom prayed, “Dear Heavenly Father, we just come before Thy throne to first thank Thee for being Thyself. And to ask that we might find favor in Thy precious sight. We also ask Thee to touch Ralph’s hardened heart this day and Lord to encourage him in Thee that he might become closer to Thee and trust Thee more. For Thou art the Lord who didst part the waters and Thou art the Lord who didst say, Whatsoever you ask in faith so it shall be done unto thee. So we just come in faith, Lord, and claim Thy promises this day and ask Thee, Lord, not that a mountain might move or be cast into the sea, Lord, but that Thou wilt increase Ralph’s faith so that he too wilt trust in Thy holy name. So Lord I pray, as did Thine servant Elijah, that Thou wilt send a sign to Thy people, Lord, and that the train in Milano wilt be late so that Thine servant Ralph wilt, like Jonah when he strayed from Thee, believe again in Thy mighty loving hand, Lord, who knowest every hair on our heads. So open Ralph’s eyes as Thou opened the eyes of the prophets of Baal who doubted Thee, Lord. And may Ralph praise Thy name because Thou art mighty, and may he have the sign he needeth to have the faith, Lord, that he shouldst have faith even as I do, Lord, without a sign. And, Lord, we pray Thou wilt forgive Ralph for loving the things of this world more than Thee and for having refused to come to the foot of the Cross in this our hour of need. Touch his heart, Lord, we pray in Thy Son’s dear name. Amen.”