Prayers

I'm going to do something I don't do very often. I'm asking something from you. Prayers. That's all. Not time-consuming or requiring a sacrifice.

Many negative events have happened in Arkansas in the past week. Anne Pressly passed away and her killer has not been caught. Three people were shot at UCA. Two males died. An Arkansan has been arrested for devising a plot to kill 88 African-Americans, including Obama. My friends, Sarah and Mike Juola, both have grandmothers who are very ill.

PLEASE pray for the people listed above. Even pray for the killer of Anne and the school shooter at UCA. They did horrible things, but still need our prayers. As do their families. Victims (as it should be) get the bulk of the prayers. I tend to believe that the perpetrators and their families get overlooked. They need prayers too. I can't imagine being related to someone who has taken a life. These families need prayers just as urgently as the families of the victims.

Please pray that Mike and Sarah's grandmothers have the strength and perseverance to fight their battles and win. Pray that their families can fight through their fear and grief in order to be strong for their loved ones.

I often get overwhelmed by the many people I feel need to be prayed for. Sometimes I pray for each on individually. Sometimes I lump them all together. I don't know which one is better. I get conflicted over this, but I guess God knows who I need to pray for and doesn't miss anyone if I lump them together. I don't know. I feel guilty when I don't mention names. Like they won't get their prayer. I know this isn't true...but what if it is? What if that person doesn't get what they need because I didn't mention him/her specifically. This question/worry has been bothering me. I hope that I am right in the belief that God knows my heart and who I am keeping in my thoughts and gives them a prayer even if I don't ask for it explicity.

Thank you for praying. It works miracles. I know. I've survived due to the miracle of prayer.