Greeting Readers, God’s Holy Words talk to the hearts of mankind about the power of prayer: not only are you to pray, but you are not to faint. Perhaps you have been praying about something for a long time and do not see the answer. You may think God hasn’t heard or doesn’t care. However, you are not to lose faith. Because, God emphasizes the importance of prayer. Through prayer all needs are supplied, problems are solved, and the impossible is accomplished. Therefore mankind ought to pray at all times. You may not feel like it, but you ought to pray about everything before you begin the task. You may be discouraged, but you ought to pray. The line to God is always open through his Son Jesus Christ. God tells his people in Isaiah 57:19 about having peace in your life through prayer: “Peace, peace, to those far and near, says the Lord. And I will heal them. Continue to trust in the Lord and he will heal your heart.?

Eva Harris and Lincoln County Schools’ Alumni are continuing to meet to plan for their upcoming school reunion that will be held July 10-12. The alumni will meet again on April 21 at the public library at 6 p.m. All alumni and faculty members are asked to please be present. Time is drawing near for the reunion, and there is still work to do.

A special “94th” happy birthday wish is extended to a great warrior in the community. She is a former wife to her late husband, Rev. Ed Smith, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, a loving family member to other relatives, a dear friend and a great neighbor to many: Mrs. Cora Jenkins Smith who is better known to her family as “Mama Coot” and to her friends as “Mrs. Coot.” Mrs. Smith lives in the Siloam community and attends Siloam M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. Sam Collins. Mrs. Smith is still active in her church, her home, the community, and she is the person that makes the delicious chicken-n-dumpling dish for her granddaughter?s, Rose Powell, restaurant each week. She celebrated this blessed time in her life on Wednesday, April 8 with her family and friends. Mrs. Smith may God allow you to continue to celebrate more blessed birthdays. My nephew, Cedric L. Beard, also shared this day, April 8, as he celebrated his birthday. Happy birthday wishes are extended to my sister, Alberta Ford, of the Loyd Star community and to Jamie Henderso,n of Caseyville, who both celebrated April 11. Also, to Geneva Hooker, Emma Harris and sisters, Alexis, Alicia and Ashley Leggett, also to all of you who are celebrating during the month of April. May God continue to bless each of you.

I would like to congratulate my grandson Michael Anthony Harvey II for running the first hand off on the 4 x 200 Meter Relay team at Brookhaven High School with his teammates, Octarvius Scarborough, Ben Robinson and Thomas Poole. This track meet was held in Pearl on April 10 with a time of 1:31.95. Keep up the good work guys; we are proud of you.

Many families have lost dear loved ones recently and their loss in expressed in many different ways, such as this one. “Dear Heavenly Father,” please take my heart on a journey today to erase the distance between those who cared and loved me and my family. Let them know, Father, how much we, the family of Minister Shannon Webb, really loved all that was done for us. We appreciate the flowers, calls, food, visits but, most of all, the prayers that are being and has been prayed for us. This is Minister Webb’s season for grace and favor, this is his season to reap what he had sown. The cards were so numerous, we are still taking a moment here and there to see all the wonderful thoughts that others had of him. I am greatly elated to see how many lives Minister Webb touched in his short lifespan. Thank you and thank God for loaning him to us for this little while.? – Evangelist Willie Faye Webb and family.

If you have any Loyd Star Area News to Report, please call Carolyn Beard Humphries at 601-833-5753.