Barriers Burned Away · Chapter
XLV: “Prayer Is Mighty”—Christine a Christian explained
On the desolate beach after the Great Chicago Fire, Dennis Fleet persuades Christine Ludolph to kneel in prayer with him, though she remains despairing and unconvinced.
What happens
On the desolate beach after the Great Chicago Fire, Dennis Fleet persuades Christine Ludolph to kneel in prayer with him, though she remains despairing and unconvinced. He then directs her to comfort a sick German woman; in praying for the woman, Christine suddenly experiences a profound conversion, crying out that God lives and loves her. She thanks Dennis for leading her to this knowledge, and he recalls his mother's words: 'Prayer is Mighty.'
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Doubt
Christine's journey from doubt and despair to a sudden, ecstatic faith in God is the central focus of the chapter.
Love and Sacrifice
Dennis's selfless care for Christine and her growing love for him are interwoven with the spiritual crisis.
Suffering and Providence
The suffering caused by the fire leads Christine to a deeper understanding of life and ultimately to her conversion.
Characters to notice
- Dennis Fleet
Prays earnestly for Christine, directs her to help a sick German woman, and rejoices at her conversion.
- Christine Ludolph
Initially despairing and unbelieving, she kneels in prayer at Dennis's request, then experiences a sudden conversion after praying for a sick woman.
- Mr. Ludolph
Mentioned as having lost store, home, and probably most of his fortune in the fire; Christine hopes this will lead him to remain in America.
Key passages
“I have suffered so much, and there seemed no remedy!”
Christine confesses her deep suffering and hopelessness.
Expresses her despair before the prayer scene.
“Will you kneel on these sands with me in prayer to Him?”
Dennis asks Christine to join him in prayer on the beach.
Key moment leading to her conversion.
“O God—if there is a God—help this poor creature!”
Christine prays for the sick German woman, still uncertain of God's existence.
Her first prayer, which triggers her conversion.
“There is! there is! God lives and loves me, I feel, I know, and therefore I may hope and live.”
Christine suddenly realizes and declares that God exists and loves her.
The moment of her conversion.
“Prayer is Mighty.”
Dennis recalls his mother's saying that prayer has great power.
The chapter's title and concluding theme.