"I don't cry for friends anymore because God has given me genuine friends who love me from the bottom of their hearts. Instead of the friends who would cut me off because of jealous, I now get friend requests from the first family and elite people. I was hated my many but now God has raised a platform for me. A lot of people on social media wish to at least have my contact or sit near me. Isn't that God, who am I to deserve all that? A nobody who had nothing good but God knew my name."
Almost the entire congregation was in tears by now. The Pastor's wife had joined her husband on the pulpit, singing loudly in praise.
"So, I want to urge the Christian single girls in here today to clutch on the lord with all your might for him to choose your partners and to married couples in here who are passing through a lot, is it; financial crisis, barrenness, domestic abuse or healthy issues? Seek onto the Lord and stop crying for help from people who are silently passing through the same things as you. Nobody will help but the Lord your God who formed you.
Girls, look for jobs and make your own money. Most of you fall into temptations because of lack of money. You end up going with married men because they're rich but you don't know how far they came with their wives and God is always so faithful to those wives. You can't tell me that you can ever go unpunished when you try to tamper with Nancy's boyfriend. With all she went through with her man? And you come swaying your butt to him because he has dollars and because you think you're so attractive than his girlfriend?
Or would any of you here tamper with my man I've toiled to get and go unpunished? That's when you get cursed and take years to get your rightful man yet right, rich and faithful men are so many out there. God isn't stupid to give his faithful son to you who sleeps around with avery male creature and the same applies to the other gender. You indiscriminately prefer being promiscuous to keeping your dignities to your right spouses
Stop looking for easy money and make yours that will give you peace and dignity. Girls of nowadays look for marriages because of money and not because of love of which it is the main reason why divorce rates are higher in this generation." Anna said truthfully.
"I want to urge the nonbelievers to give your lives to christ Jesus. He never disappoints those who confront him. There's no qualifications in salvation, the spirit of the Lord qualifies you himself....." Even before she could finish her sentence, people in all corners of the wide church started flooding below the pulpit, facing Anna and the Pastors.
"Oh hooo!" The Pastor cried, "Thank you Jesus for this revival. Thank you Lord for this message you've given us today"
As if the holy spirit had taken over her, she continued talking nevertheless. "Those who are depressed, poor, rejected, childless, broken and so many other heavy things, just run to the source of the living waters. He who heard my cries can hear you my friends. Just as no mother would sit still when her child is crying, it's the same way God can't give his beloved children a deaf ear. If he has never disappointed all those who ran to him in the Bible, he won't start now."
What started as a mere testimony turned into a deliverance summon as all people; believers, nonbelievers and the ministers of the the church like ushers and praise and worship team members and all other ministers in defferent departments; all flooded at the front of the pulpit, crying and repenting out loud.
"Oh Lord! These are the youths we want in this spoilt generation" The Pastor's wife cried on the microphone, "Our children need you oh God....."
The senior Pastor and the other pastors under his ministry prayed for people for two full hours. They later helped non believers convert to Christianity then sent them all back to their seats.
"Who would've believed that a girl in white pants and black shades would have all this impact on God's people today?" The Pastor asked, "Absolutely nobody! Not on the way she started today."
Anna giggled
"For sure, not all have the audacity of doing what you did in the beginning but what was behind it was greater. Thank you so much." The Pastor said, "I request you to pray for these people to the God who helped you pass through tough times to guide them too. And the anointing of patience to fall on them."
"Okay" Anna said meekly, "I want whoever wether boy or girl that is virgin to come forth."
"...." The crowd was silent.
"Don't fear because the devil who fights morality and innocence in a young generation is never afraid. I was once deceived by spoilt girls that being virgin in your twenties is a curse and that it's frowned upon but the devil is a liar. Feel proud of it because you're one in a million. You have the most expensive thing that has helped me gain respect, trust, favour and so much love from my man. Just rush up here."
A girl from the balcony stood up and started heading to the pulpit. Not after ten seconds, the next one stood up and other and other.
"Make sure that you're indeed virgins." Anna commanded.
Five girls and three boys lined up on the pulpit. One of the girls seemed to one of the nonbelievers who had come for the show judging by her dressing code. Two girls and one boy were wearing Church choir and usher uniforms while other were just believers.
The Pastor looked a bit disappointed as only three church single ministers where infront. Not to say that only one of his biological children came forth among the many.
"I'm very sorry to do this but if other youths show off with; good looks, and materialistic things they steal from rich men and women, why not us? I want to encourage my dear sisters and brothers that you're not missing anything out there. The body is insatiable, just as you eat in the morning and get hungry after a few hours, that's the same way sexual desires are, they are never satisfied. But when God gives you you're rightful partner, you will enjoy yourselves to the fullest with no guilt and regret." She said,
She turned her head to look at the congregation, "Mothers, Fathers, Uncles, Aunties and everyone who wishes these people success, get up and raise your hands onto them. Pray for them whatever good thing you wish to happen to them and God will pay you by keeping vigilance to your children as well."
Everybody, including Liam himself got up and raised their hands forward. Anna knelt down and held the microphone closer to her mouth.
"The God who started a good job in me, I pray that you look at your children with mercy and compassion. Jesus, you were once on earth and you know better how the flesh can get heavier, I pray that you hold their hands till the very end. With your mighty hand that rescued the Israelites from Egypt, rescue them from the fangs of the wild beast that is ready to swallow them whole.
I call their partners from every corner of the world to locate those who are due for marriage right now. May I hear the announcements of their weddings before this year comes to an end. May they finish the race on the finishing line God, not like me who didn't reach the very end___on their wedding nights, may they know and touch each other for the first time in glory and honour. In Jesus's name I've prayed!"
"Amen!" The congregation responded in unison.
"May God bless and meet all your needs. And whoever yearns to see God, may you meet him in Jesus's name" Anna concluded.
"Amen!"
"Please accept my offertory, Pastor" She said getting up.
"Please don't beg, you're giving the almighty God not the filthy me" The Pastor humbly said, "All of you pray for blessings and protection from God to follow her and her boyfriend and all their descendants to come."
The congregation roared with much prayers willingly and gladly. After all prayers and thanking speech from the pastor, Liam helped her come down the pulpit steps. Given that she had been standing for over three hours in high heels, she was exhausted and tired to bones.
"Allow us to go, Pastor. My lady is so famished" Liam requested.
"Of course yes, you can leave but we're also done here. What other sermon is needed?" The Pastor asked, "Please come back another time and bless us, same place, same time. May the angels go before you."
"Amen" Liam replied, he grabbed her handbag and headed out, holding her hand__he had collected her phone from the projector guy earlier. He put her in the car first, then removed the tight heels from her feet. He drove them to a resort hotel.
They sat in a gazebo near a lake, the cool air fanning on them.
"Are you not gonna say anything?" Anna asked in a low romantic voice___looking at him tenderly.
"What should I say, you amaze me every single day. I can't believe that you're the same person I know" Liam replied in his relaxed deep voice to see her blush.
"Did you like it or l crossed my limits?" She asked eyeing him.
"I liked your confidence and all but what shocked me was the revelation of the divine convenant you did and how you actually suffered in your single life. You're such a hero and a treasure to hold so dear." Liam said still holding her eyes captive, he kissed her hands he was holding.
"Thank you, I thought that I unnecessarily said a lot." She said smiling beautifully.
"Not at all, I'm really so proud of you. Eric's story caught me off guard, though. What a man he is! I can't wait to befriend him because those are the kinds of strong men I want to associate myself with. He's so hardworking and committed to his girl."
"Thank you again for helping him, he deserves love and a better life. I love him as much as I love Nancy for sure."
Liam stayed silent for a few minutes, just staring at her with a smile.
"What?" Anna asked blushing cutely.
"Nothing" He said, "Just wondering what good I did to God to know me and give me an incomparable gift he gave me. With all my sins, I don't deserve this kind of love from him and you."
Anna held his hand lovingly, "And this is why I would never judge you for your deeds. Because if God loves you like that, who am I not to fall head over hills for the Greek god infront of me clad in full glory and much honours...."
Liam blushed for the first time ever since, "Stop!"
Anna just lifted his hand on her lips and started kissing on it, snickering at his red face.