With the agents gone we all felt at ease, and the calm ambiance of the conversation returned. I felt, for the first time, that we could actually pull off this plan for bringing Christians out of hiding. I had personally met a disciple of Christ, and had even heard him speak on several occasions. Not only that, I had seen things that are undeniably real, yet there was no logical explanation for them.
"That was surely an invigorating meeting with the government," Tom said.
"You should have been in here for the big show, Tom," Bill said.
"Yeah? I thought there for a second we were going to be turned into Swiss cheese," Woody said jokingly.
"I didn't think that for a moment," I said, trying to hide my fear of the whole incident.
"Honey, I'm getting tired," Mary started. "I think I'm going to go to bed."
"Yeah, it's been a long day for me as well," Tom said, as he rose from the table.
We all said our 'goodnights' to them as they headed off for their respective rooms. Woody looked at John and suggested we formulate a plan for tomorrow.
"My suggestion is we pray," He said.
"How?" I asked.
"Do you not know how, Michael?" Woody asked.
"Yes, of course I do. That wasn't what I meant. I was referring to a strategy. Is there a certain way, or thing, for which we should pray?" I asked.
"I have always found that praying for souls is the best way to enter hostile territory," John said.
"Really?" Woody asked.
"Yes. On many occasions when I was instructed to enter a new city with the gospel, I prayed for men and their families to be converted. No matter how much opposition I met, many came to accept Jesus as the Messiah," John explained.
"But wasn't most of that backed-up with some sort of miracles?" Woody asked.
"Not all the time. Jesus did tell us some would accept our word because of who we were. Others did need miracles, but it was mostly those based on need," John said.
"Need?" I asked.
"Certainly. Many were sick in that day, and some were vexed with devils of many sorts. I am glad to say all succumbed to the name of Jesus," John explained.
"Wow. That must have been exciting!" Bill said.
"I guess you could say that, Bill. But remember, all this 'excitement' came at a great cost to God," John said, reflectively.
"I guess there's not a higher price to pay than to give your only son as a ransom for people who really didn't seem to want any help," Woody pondered.
"It is hard for me to imagine what God was thinking in the grand scheme of things, but this much I am assured of: He loves his creation more than words can articulate," John said.
