Prayer can be one of the most powerful things in our lives – so much so that Gov. Bob Riley declared today as a “Day of Prayer and Remembrance” for the victims, their families and communities in south Alabama affected by last week’s shooting rampage that left 11 dead.

He encourages citizens to honor the memory of those lost in Samson, Geneva and Kinston on March 10. The proclamation was issued Wednesday.

A community service also is planned Friday in Samson at the town square.This is one of the worst individual killing sprees our state has seen and one of the worst in U.S. history. We do need a time of healing, and prayer can initiate that healing process.While instances like this tend to turn us back to prayer, we should always remember to pray whether times are good or bad.