Serious Prayer for Serious People

Because I have this opportunity to encourage others to corporate prayer, I use my “serious prayer” entries to share specific prayers that have been laid on my heart.   I promise there is more mundacity, silliness and general Cafferky news to come, maybe even today, but I had to use my space here, right now for this prayer.

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am a news junkie.  And I don’t just watch Fox news, although I watch more of that than any other.  I read the whole Washington Post at least 3 times a week, I watch live congressional stuff on CSPAN when there is something that catches my interest, and I try to catch any policy stuff “live” – schedule permitting.  This means that I like to hear comments from leaders without the narration from far from unbiased reporters.  When the President, or the candidates or Reid (kill me please every time he speaks) or Pelosi are speaking live, and my schedule allows it, I always listen.  At least for as long as I can without wanting to curse like a sailor, which is never effective to get God’s attention.  My point is this, I try to know what is really going on around me, and I then pray to God about those things that my heart is moved to pray about.    I say all this, because locally, there is this scourge of violence and bitterness in the area of divorce and marital issues.  I was, now twice in a month, shocked to hear about a local family where one parent went totally crazy and killed either the kids or the other parent.  A few weeks ago, a family in our little league community suffered when the Mom of two pre-teen boys killed the Dad, Lord have Mercy!  I may have mentioned that in this blog before, because I was so moved by this.  How sad!  I continue to pray for the Giguere family.   This week, Lord have mercy, is the story of the three kids found in a Baltimore hotel, where their father had murdered them and then was going to take his own life.  What is going on here?  Is it possible that there are people in our communities that are suffering so much, that are so involved with their own pain and have no one out there helping them?  I read how the mom of these three little kids had KNOWN that the dad was dangerous and had issues.  She tried to keep the kids away from the father, who was obviously suffering from some mental issues.  And yet, she had to allow him to be with the children because the court made her.  Did he not have any family to be with him when he was with the kids - you know just in case?  Any friends?  Any neighbors? How could this happen??? The Cafferky family has been so blessed during our long season of need.  Why are we so different?  Is it because of where we live?  Is it because we asked for help?  Is it because of my faith?  I don’t know.  All I know is this: when we have asked for help, it has been amazingly provided.  When we have been sad or lonely, we have been embraced by kind and loving friends and family. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I pray that every single person reading this is able to reach out and be “real” with at least one person.  Seriously, no one is alone.  Lord God, please show all of my sisters and brothers how much You love each one of them, personally.  Lord, please move us all to be connected with one another so that we won’t have to read any more local news about a family that has exploded in violence.  How many other kids have to suffer because their parents are either unable to ask for help or their communities are unable to see the train wreck that is becoming their lives?  Seriously, Lord God, please help our families and communities.  I take it as a personal failure that someone in my community could be suffering so much that they have to kill themselves or their children or their spouses, or ANYONE!   If there is anyone reading this that thinks that death or violence is the only way to deal with a particular problem – STOP!  Send me a note!  Pray to God in Jesus’ name.  I cannot say this enough – it is unacceptable for anyone in my community to feel so lost.  It makes me so sad!  During our very worst days of this horrible season, I have never felt that lonely or bitter or sad!   Please – don’t ever feel that there is no hope, because that is a LIE and it is unacceptable.  There is always hope and there is always someone out there who wants to stay awake with you while you pray.  Even if that person is me.  I promise. I don’t know why this moved me so much, but thank you for listening and praying with me.  Please pray for this poor woman in Silver Spring, who lives not far from where we used to live just a few years ago, her name is Amy Castillo and she is a pediatrician and she just lost her own three children.  Lord have mercy!  May Amy Castillo be comforted by many loving friends and family and may the great and merciful arms of Jesus Christ hug her tight during this horrible time in her life.  Our Lord, God, is gracious and will provide comfort and healing in great abundance.  I know this, for a fact. Thanks for listening.  Lord hear our prayer.elisa