Editor's Choice Letter sent to Free Press (Kinston)

Dear Editor:

For a while now I have been hearing reports on the news, and reading the stories in the news papers about how this person or that person is filing a petition or grievance or worse yet a law suit about � get this, PRAYER! Like most Christians, at the moment it saddened me, and sometimes I would offer up a prayer for this particular person, and whomever the grievance was toward. All I could think, was I am so glad that is not happening in �my city� or �my town�, then add �at least it doesn�t affect me�. Ladies and gentlemen of Christ- it does affect you! There is no place on this earth that does not NEED prayer! 
	Don�t you think we as Christians have sat by for far too long and allowed one person, or ten to remove this sacred request for guidance from the creator of this earth, out of too many of our great institutions? 
We allowed it to be removed from our schools�has that helped our children in any way? Are our children better for it? NO! My God no!  I invite you to visit an elementary school in your area, and listen to the filth spoken in the halls and on the playgrounds. It is so very sad. The anger and disrespect shown to the teachers and staff is enough to make me want to cry. Don�t even get me started on the middle schools and the high schools. Do parents really see their young daughters dressed like that before they leave the house? 
God and the foundation of God is love. Why is He so repulsive to people? When we took prayer out of our schools, we removed hope. Hope that it is going to be alright, hope that someone cares, and we are not alone. Children need to know these things, especially those who do not get that reinforcement at home. I cannot imagine a life without knowing Jesus, and the encouragement He brought into my life. I have always known that no matter what, no matter where, I could turn my face up, or quietly bow my head and receive the strength I needed to move ahead, one more step, or one more day! Thank you Lord, I thank you!
I implore you- pastors, preachers, teachers, men and women of God, stand up for Him as he stood for you so many years ago. I am calling out to you! When you hear of stories and reports such as this, find out the names and addresses of the churches in that area, and begin a letter writing campaign to let their pastors and members know- �We are behind you! And we are praying for you!� Encourage them to begin petitions of their own to stop this attention seeking, fear induced madness. Offer yourself as the servant you are to assist in any way you can. One voice can reach millions wont you be that voice?
Not only am I submitting this to the Kinston Free press, I am forwarding a copy to all of my friends VIA e-mail, and I promise I will do just what I have so boldly asked of all of you. May God bless us all.
									
Malissa Sutton
Editors' Choice Letter sent to Free Press (Kinston) - Prayer by Malissa Sutton
