Last Friday (2nd Jan, 2009) Jett Travolta, the 16 year old son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, died in their holiday home in the Bahamas. Jett, who is the only son of Travolta, 54, and Preston, 46, died after hitting his head on a bathtub after suffering a seizure.

After reading this news I felt a deep sense of sadness, so I did the only thing I could do, I prayed for the Travolta’s. I felt such sorrow for them. The truth is I don’t know them, and children die every day, but it’s hard to ignore such a high profile tragedy.

On the website Travolta.com the heartbroken family wrote, “We would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent their love and condolences. Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered. We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives. We have received many messages of condolence from around the world and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. It has meant so much to us. It is a beautiful reminder of the inherent goodness in the human spirit that gives us hope for a brighter future.”

As a father I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling and can only feel sympathy for the Travolta’s at this time. So let us pray for them. And while it’s true that Travolta and Preston are avid followers of the cult of Scientology, let’s not let the chasm in their beliefs and ours get in the way of what Jesus would have us do. Let us pray that they will find rest and hope in God, and that he will begin to bind their wounds and heal their pain.

Jesus said, “Come to me if you feel like giving up because you are carrying the weight of the world, and I will lift your burden and give you peace.” (Matthew 11:28 – Paraphrase mine) Let’s pray that in their time of utter grief they can find the peace Jesus so freely offers.

Let us also pray that ultimately they come to a realization that they need Jesus in their lives, and that he, and only he, can set them free. What a witness it would be if someone like John Travolta or Kelly Preston, or both, became a Christians. Just think of the lives that could be touched if they used their talents, money, and influence for the kingdom.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are a good Father who cares for his children. You love us more than we will ever know and it is this love that gave us the grace and mercy found in the giving of your own son for us. We pray that somehow you will reach into the lives of the Travolta’s and reveal yourself to them. Please heal their pain and give them peace at this time. Thank you Lord for this opportunity to stand in the gap for this hurting family, a family that you love, a family that you call us to love. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
January, 2009

Picture by “Unknown”

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