We mark one year since Liza Fletcher lost her life this coming weekend. Hundreds, maybe thousands, will “Finish Liza’s Run.” It is a solemn occasion. Richie Fletcher was profiled in The Daily Memphian today because he wants folks to know about his bride in the way he wants her to be remembered. It is moving and full of grace.
Lord, comfort the Fletcher family. Watch over Richie as he raises his boys in a world that takes from us. Comfort them with your promises and assurance.
Lord, our city has not healed. We are still broken. We still mourn. The loss of Liza did not stop a downward trend. Each day we are confronted with the fall of man. But each day Lord, You provide moments of grace, moments of truth, that showcase Your love and power. May we, as neighbors, build on those moments. Stack them up Lord.
We pray for calm and we pray for reflection. We pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of the lost. We pray for the boldness to preach Christ, with love, to the lost. May this prayer and others being lifted up to You soften hard hearts.
Lord, we pray for a police force that serves and protects the community. We pray for city and county leadership that seek the betterment of all citizens and not self-promotion. We pray for encouragement for the over one million residents of the Mid-South that wake up each day and fulfill their roles, that better days are ahead.
Lord, stop the street-racing and retail theft, gun violence and intimidation. Do so by changing hearts. Protect the innocent. Open the hearts of Your children to the needs around them. We are Your hands and feet. In Christ’s name, amen.