How Prayer Changed A Family

In his ongoing journey to prove that Everybody Has A Story, CBS News Correspondent Steve Hartman met a couple in Virginia who believes they're living proof that The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Irene and James Anderson got married in 1987 - and started drifting apart not long after. She became the responsible mom, who would take care of the kids, volunteer at their school, and see them to church every Sunday.

James, on the other hand, had no time to waste on going to church. His priority was basically -- beer.

The alcohol so permeated his life it's now hard to find a memory without a can. He drank up to 18 cans a day and became completely numb to the marriage crumbling at his feet.

"Only caring about myself, really - seemed like. And that was a big part of that downfall," he says.

"I said he’s not going to change. He don’t want to change," adds Irene, who was married to that alcoholic for 12 years.

They went from a living hell to Candyland and practically overnight.

"I’m looking at a total different person," says Irene, "He told me he got down on his knees and asked God to help him."

And from that prayer to this day-he hasn’t had a single beer.

James now works for a non-profit company that transports senior citizens and in his spare time, James Anderson - the guy who had no time for church - sings in the choir.

He is easy to spot; he’s one of the only men. Irene stands out even more, she’s the one that glows in the pews.

She says in the whole 14 years of marriage, this time is the happiest she’s ever been.

And that’s the story of a marriage that never had a prayer. At least, until he said one.

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