Nancy Guthrie, the 84‑year‑old mother of “Today” show co‑host Savannah Guthrie, remains missing after what authorities are treating as an abduction from her home near Tucson, Arizona, with ransom notes reported and deadlines said to have been set by the kidnappers. At St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tucson, where she has been a member for about three decades, Pastor John Tittle has been leading the congregation in sustained prayer for her rescue, her safe return home, and for God to bless and guide law enforcement with wisdom “along every step of the path to her.”
During a recent Sunday service and a well‑attended prayer vigil, Tittle prayed that God would “soften the hearts” of those responsible so they would come forward and “do what is humane and what is right,” asking that mercy and grace would prevail in what he called a “horrific ordeal” and “the Valley of the Shadow.” He also prayed specifically for protection over Nancy “body, mind and soul,” that she would sense the love and prayers of her family, church, and people “from this nation and all around the world,” and that light would shine out of darkness through her safe release.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have released a video message to the abductors saying, “We received your message, and we understand,” stating that the family is prepared to pay for Nancy’s return and pleading, “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.” Authorities in Pima County say they believe Nancy was taken against her will sometime between late on January 31 and the early hours of February 1, and they have expressed heightened concern because she is 84 and has significant health issues requiring daily medication.
If you would like, I can help you shape a short prayer in similar language for Nancy, her family, the investigators, and the kidnappers’ hearts.
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