"He will die," medical personnel told the baby's mother. "It's best if you don't get attached."

Born 15 years ago to an unwed teenager, the child had a brainstem but no brain and lacked the instinct to suckle or cry. He was moved to an isolated nursery where he was to be denied food and water until the inevitable took place.

Despite the hopelessness of her situation, the young mother called a local church and asked for someone to come pray that God would heal her baby. Church deacons met with the mother in the hospital nursery, anointed the baby with oil, and remarkably — though some would say foolishly — prayed for the baby's healing.