Friends, many of you will know Mike Rayson, who sometimes posts here, though he was a more frequent contributor when he lived in Sydney. He is based in the US these days, where he operates as an evangelist, guest speaker and singer/performer around the nation.

This morning Australian time Mike’s eldest son, Sam, was killed. He was kicked by a horse, in the chest I believe. Sam was only 11 years old.

Here are some excerpts from a message sent to Mike’s prayer support group this morning by the minister of their church in Tennessee:

Sam Rayson passed away this morning due to complications from being kicked by a horse. Please continue to under gird Mike and Amy with prayers as they are faced with this most difficult of circumstances for a parent to have to deal with. Pray for strength and that peace that can only come from God to comfort them along with Laura and Ollie.

We are having a prayer vigil at Pleasant View UMC tonight at 7:00 pm to mourn the loss of a beloved brother in Christ and to bathe Mike, Amy, Laura and Ollie in prayer. Anyone is invited and encouraged to attend the prayer vigil who is in the area. Those who are not close by, pray wherever you are.

There will be a memorial service at the church. They are unsure about burial plans.

This is very sad news, Warren. Thanks for letting us know.

Let’s all keep Mike and his family in our prayers in the coming days.

Amen.

This is indeed sad news. Upon reading it, I have become aware of tears appearing in my eyes - and can only imagine the grief that Mike and his family are feeling at this time.

Although most of us have never met Mike - or indeed each other - we have communicated on the net through these forums and private messages. We are indeed part of a ‘cyber community’ that can feel one another’s joys and pain. We will indeed uphold Mike in our prayers.

[quote author="kevin goddard"]This is indeed sad news. Upon reading it, I have become aware of tears appearing in my eyes - and can only imagine the grief that Mike and his family are feeling at this time.

Although most of us have never met Mike - or indeed each other - we have communicated on the net through these forums and private messages. We are indeed part of a ‘cyber community’ that can feel one another’s joys and pain. We will indeed uphold Mike in our prayers.

Likewise.

Amen

Thanks for letting us know Warren, that’s really tragic news for Mike and his family.

Our hearts & prayers go out to him & his family.

May God, in His mercy and love, comfort and strengthen the Rayson family.

Oh no, this is heart-breaking.

I will be praying for Mike and his family.

Just read this.

May God bless and strengthen Mike and Amy and the family.

I cannot imagine how painful this is, Mike, if you are reading this.  May the Lord be with you now.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Amen.  Come Lord Jesus!

It hurts like hell.

But in less than 3 days since Sam’s death, 6 people have given their lives to the Lord.  That’s worth all his 11 years and more!!!

I believe this could be the start of a faith revival.

Pray for us, and pray that the world will never be the same again when it hears the Word go forth.

Mike

Mike, it is good to hear from you, though at such a sad, gut-wrenching time for you.

It is great that even in such pain, you are thinking about sharing God’s good news.

It is wonderful to be able to sorrow as those who do have the hope of resurrection and be reunited in Christ.

There is a short news item in today’s “Daily Telegraph” on page 15.

Radio station 103.2 FM posted this on their news :

http://fm1032.relate.com.au/News-Detail.asp?cid=5&navid=5&NewsID=940

FM103.2 Mourns with Rayson Family
15/5/2007

Former FM103.2 announcer, and singer/songwriter Mike Rayson phoned FM103.2 Program Director John O’Donnell during the early hours of this morning with the shocking news that his eldest son Sam had died in a tragic accident in Illinois, in the United States.

Clearly in deep shock, Mike shared how he and his wife Amy had left their three children with close friends so they could take a much needed, God provided, cruise together from Miami. News had come through that Sam had died of complications due to being kicked by a horse and they immediately returned to share the news with their two youngest children, Laura and Ollie, and make arrangements for the funeral which will be held tomorrow morning Sydney time.

The Rayson family’s church in Pleasantview USA is coordinating a prayer vigil – and a memorial service will be held for the 11 year old on Sunday. The church is also setting up a fund to help pay for the medical costs associated with the accident.

Mike, Amy and the children are planning to return to South Australia next month, where Sam will be buried.

Please pray for Mike and his family at this extremely difficult time.

Also, here are the links to two pieces that Mike has written on his blog :

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=84283175&blogID=264809526&indicate=1

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=84283175&blogID=265204534&MyToken=f3dcaaa1-a802-4b52-ade9-d30d51abde57

[Through tears]
May God’s immeasurable love, peace and never ending faithfulness, hold your family steadfast and tightly in His loving arms. And may He never let you go!  :(

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet....” Amy Grant.

Oh Mike, prayers for you and Amy, Laura and Ollie.

Prayers Mike
and for all the others effected by this tragedy. (I was emailed by someone who was very upset about this, which is how I found out.)
Prayers…