As John lies on the hospital bed, without a pulse, Joyce begins to pray over him, asking the Holy Spirit to come and bring her boy to life. Moments later, John begins to breathe, seemingly as a direct result of Joyce’s prayer and faith.

But in some ways, the real battle for John is only just beginning. He’s unconscious and has multiple health issues for days after the accident. And those who wait and pray for the teen to recover fully are often filled with doubt, fear and anxiety about the unknown, creating stress between Joyce and nearly everyone else in her life.

And while Joyce obviously has tenacious faith, her own personal breakthrough involves trusting God fully with John’s fate, even if that means he never truly wakes up. Once she relinquishes her desire to be in control—a character trait that’s often cloaked in spiritual language—Joyce is able to be lovingly present with her son without getting angry at others who may not share her faith.

One of the rescue workers who pulls John out of the water is an atheist. He wrestles with his own belief in God, after admitting to hearing God’s voice as he was searching for John’s drowned body.

People hold a prayerful vigil outside of the hospital, singing the worship song “Oceans” over John as he fights for his life. Other worship songs are sung about grace, love, faithfulness and God’s power. Many people cry out to God for mercy, understanding and forgiveness. The film also ponders the important question, “Why does God save some and not others?” To the film’s credit, it resists offering an easy answer even as it tells John’s miracle-filled story.

Forgiveness and repentance play key roles in this film. Joyce, in particular, makes a few selfish decisions in her desire to protect her son. But eventually, she apologizes to those she has hurt, and other characters reconcile relationships as well.

Many church members, including Joyce herself, are not comfortable with the new pastor and his modern approach to church and worship. A few of the congregants are visibly annoyed and refuse to participate in the worship service because of their own judgmental attitudes and worship preferences. (His inclusion of a rapper in a church worship service, for example, isn’t met with wholehearted approval; and a sermon illustration involving the reality dating show The Bachelor initially makes people uneasy as well.)

Pastor Jason tells his children that a shepherd’s job is to take care of his sheep (referencing those within his congregation). Men and women wear crosses. Families pray together. John attends a private Christian school.