To the Editor:

First let me extend my condolences to the families of the Newtown, Conn., massacre; I am praying for and with them.

What do we do when we don’t know what to do? Or, what do we say, when there are no words to say? I can’t imagine the hurt, pain, anger or disappointment that they are feeling right now, but what I do know is that with time, cupped with prayer, they will get through this devastation.

No, it won’t be done immediately, but it will be eventually, especially when they believe in their prayers. It is true that earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal, but it’s with time and much prayer.

In lieu of making that statement, let me say that prayer is a key component to getting through the roughest of time.

Why is it that a word of prayer is said after something terrible has happened? A word of prayer is said because it brings comfort.

For each person, whose life was taken prematurely, a priest, mortician, rabbi, pastor or some spiritual leader spoke and prayed for the families’ strength, for the acceptance of the loss, for endurance and for peace of mind and spirit.

Proverbs 3:6 states, “In all thy ways acknowledge God and He will direct your paths.” If a prayer can be spoken over the dead, for the soul to be at peace, why not speak a word of prayer over the living?

In our allegiance to the American flag, there is a clause that says, “One nation under God…” On our currency it says, “In God We Trust” yet the foundation of the world was taken out of the schools.

I believe, whole-heartedly, that when prayer was taken out of the schools, so was God…. our “foundation.” At one point of time after the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the national anthem, there was a moment for prayer.

This tragedy, along with other tragedies, has caused more people to pray across the nation. From the Catholic to the Protestant, from the Evangelical to the Episcopal, from the Islamic to the Buddhist, it doesn’t matter what the belief or teaching, the common denominator is prayer.

I strongly believe and found it to be true that a family that prays together stays together.

The school systems across this nation is our family, they are not exempt. It is part of the village that helps raise a child. It starts at home and spread abroad. What is it? Prayer and love.

Bring back the days of prayer in school and you’ll see respect restored; you’ll see determination restored; you’ll see discipline restored; you’ll see standing for truth and honesty restored; you’ll see protection restored and you’ll see families restored.

Prayer is the key. Let’s possess the key and flood the schools and our homes with the power of prayer.

Dorothy Lane
Pastor of Living Word Worship Center\
Franklin