Pray For Steven Curtis Chapman

This morning as I scanned the CNN headlines, one story caught my eye: "Christian Singer's Daughter Killed by Car."

The Christian singer was Grammy-winning musician, Steven Curtis Chapman. His 5-year-old daughter, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of the family’s home yesterday afternoon by an SUV driven by her teenage brother. She was pronounced dead later at the hospital.

Maria Sue was the youngest of three children that the Chapmans adopted from China. They also have biological children. In recent years Chapman had become known as an advocate for international adoption. He and his wife even created Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption. Those closest to the Chapmans talk of Steven’s love for children, a passion that far exceeds his love of music. Chapman’s recent hit song, "Cinderella," was about the father-daughter relationship.

I can’t imagine what the Chapman family is going through at this point. But I wanted to encourage all the readers of this blog to lift them up in prayer today. Pray for Steven and his wife Mary Beth. And please pray for their teenage son involved in this terrible accident. I’m trusting that God can bring something meaningful out of this dark tragedy.

In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope, according to the Steven Curtis Chapman web site. To express condolences click here. By mail, send to P.O. Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215.