A reader writes

I found out last night that the son of some old friends of ours from church died from a drug overdose one day after his 24th birthday last month. Although we see them occasionally around town (unfortunately not in church anymore) and don’t know them as well as we used to, this shock hit me in between the eyes and find myself thinking about this young man (a little boy the last time I saw him) and his family. Please, you and your blog readers, pray for this family in their time of pain and ask for God’s healing.

Father, you alone know the circumstances of this tragedy in fullness. Look with mercy on this young man and bring him into light and peace through your Son Jesus Christ. Grant mercy and peace as well to his family and all who loved him. Mother Mary, pray for all those involved in this tragedy that, in time, the glory of God would be made manifest through Jesus Christ crucified and risen.