{"id":17,"date":"2009-07-10T15:36:59","date_gmt":"2009-07-10T15:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/prayerplainandsimple\/2009\/07\/praying-for-the-family-of-byrd-and-melanie-billings.html"},"modified":"2009-07-10T15:36:59","modified_gmt":"2009-07-10T15:36:59","slug":"praying-for-the-family-of-byrd-and-melanie-billings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/prayerplainandsimple\/2009\/07\/praying-for-the-family-of-byrd-and-melanie-billings.html","title":{"rendered":"Praying for the Family of Byrd and Melanie Billings"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the reasons why I started this blog was to serve as a place for prayer on breaking news. A little while ago, it was brought to my attention that Byrd and Melanie Billings, a couple in Beulah, Florida who had opened their hearts and their home to 12 adopted children, were slain in a home invasion<\/a>. According to the Pensacola News Journal, the Billings have 16 children, 12 of them are adopted, some of whom have special needs. Eight of the children were found in the house when police arrived on the scene. My heart breaks for these children and the family of Byrd and Melanie Billings.<\/p>\n

Heavenly Father,<\/strong><\/p>\n

While it’s hard to fathom why bad things happen to good people, Lord I want to thank you for the lives of Byrd and Melanie Billings. Thank you for giving them hearts that were open to opening their home to children who would have otherwise been cast down. We thank you for their generosity and pray that their story, the story of two generous people who made a life out of making a life for children, will be one that inspires many people. I pray for those 16 children, that though they will go forward in this life without their parents, they will not go forward in life without you and the love of a countless number of people who will respond to the loss of Byrd and Melanie. May your hand of provision never be slack. May your goodness and mercy follow those children. And may your love surround them all of the days of their lives. Comfort the Billings’ family at this time. Give them words of solace during this time of loss and even place within the killer(s), the repentful and the remorseful spirit to turn themselves in.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Jesus’ Name,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Amen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please pray for and share your prayers for the children and family or Byrd and Melanie Billings. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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