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Friday, November 1, 2013

Hosting a "50 States of Pray" Event on Christmas Eve

Aloha,

New Year's Eve, 2012 seems like such a long time ago and it's scary to think that in a couple of months, another year will be over.

Sunset at Barbers Point, HI - Dec. 31, 2012

As always, a lot has happened. I'm sure 2013 will turn out to be a long year for some, and a fun ride for others, but as we sit here, less than eight weeks from Christmas, I thought why not set aside a moment to reflect on the year that was and share some hopes for the next year?

I'm calling this the 50 States of Pray event, and I'd love to find at least one person (but the more the merrier) from each U.S. state to participate.

But wait! (as they say on TV:) This is absolutely open to anyone, anywhere. Imagine if we got one person from 50 independent states (countries), too. That would be amazing!)

Today is just a "Save The Date" notice, but here's the simple goal behind 50 States of Pray:

On Dec. 24, 2013, take a moment, (and in about 100 words), share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope, a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future.


I will make the official announcement and open the Linky List Monday, Dec. 2, 2013.

Banner Courtesy Melissa Maygrove :)


I have four three things I need help with - if you're so led.

A. If you plan to participate, please let me know via comments below - and tell me which state you'll be "representing." (This way, I can load the map ahead of Dec. 2 :)

B. I need help promoting 50 States of Pray.

On Twitter, please help me promote the event by tweeting this post and/or using the #50StatesOfPray hashtag.

Any help with sharing this post via Facebook would also be much appreciated.

C. If anyone can come up with a 50 States of Pray button that would be awesome :)
THANK YOU, Melissa Maygrove - really appreciate your time and help making the banner :)

D. If anyone can help spread the word via an announcement Dec. 2 on their blog, please let me know.


Any questions, shoot me a comment or an email.


Cheers, and aloha :)


42 comments:

Melissa said...

2013 is in the 'long year' column for me.

Great idea, Mark. I'll be on hiatus, but until then, I'll help you promote. :)

Anonymous said...

Just yesterday it was December 2012 for me!

Delaware here! :D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Can there be more than one person per state? I'm sure that question will come up...

StratPlayerCJF said...

Great idea.

If you need a Hoosier representative, I'll sign up for Indiana.

Anonymous said...

I've had better years than 2013 but there is always someone worse off than me.

Yvonne.

Mark Koopmans said...

@Alex: I'm looking for *at least one* person per state, but the more the merrier :)

Sheena-kay Graham said...

This is a really great idea. Sadly I'm all the way over in the Caribbean. Maybe I can be a mystery state or The Visitor. OK now I'm just getting weird. I'll go now.

Elephant's Child said...

Hmm. Did you really mean to limit participation to residents of the US?

Mark Koopmans said...

@Elephant's Child: Not at all!

I'm obviously playing on the book title "50 Shades of Grey", which is why I chose the 50 U.S. States.

However, as mentioned in the post above, if we can get one person from 50 sovereign states, too, well that would be amazing!

Elizabeth Marro said...

I'll happily add a prayer from California but I have ties to New Hampshire and Colorado too so if CA is full - up, why just assign me another. Betsy

Arlee Bird said...

I've reserved the 2nd for the announcement. Not sure I want to commit since I'm usually on the road visiting family during that time, but I'll consider it and let you know.

Lee
A Faraway View

klahanie said...

Mazza dude,

Pray tell, good human, how you be? What a wonderful idea. I wish you well with that. Of course, such an idea must surely go beyond America.

Peace and pawsitive weekend wishes, your way,

Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

Mark Koopmans said...

@Elizabeth (Betsy): I tried to click on your profile, but it's currently set to private.

Hopefully, you'll see this - and if you don't mind - I'll pencil you in for New Hampshire :)

The Words Crafter said...

OH!What a wonderful idea!!!!! Yes! I'll be signing up :) And I'll link it on facebook, as well as put the badge on my blog. I'll do a post, too. Wonderful, wonderful idea!

S.P. Bowers said...

Count me in from the state of Georgia! I'll also post something either tomorrow or Tuesday. Thanks Mark, it sounds like a wonderful idea!

Libby said...

I can represent North Carolina!!!

Jessica Lawson said...

What a cool thing to do! Thanks for following my blog and introducing yourself (followed ya back)! With three boys to raise, I can see why NaNo might not be fun/motivating/possible for you either :)

Miranda Hardy said...

Great idea Mark. Sign me up from Florida.

Livia Peterson said...

I will definitely participate, Mark! Sign me up from Wisconsin. :)

Misha Gerrick said...

I'd love to help, even if I'm not from any of the states. :-)

Let me know what you'd like for me to do.

Mark Koopmans said...

@Misha: Thanks for helping and as mentioned above, I would love to get (at least) one person from 50 sovereign states (countries), too:)

Carrie Butler said...

Great idea, Mark! Well done. :D

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I'm in from West Virginia and I'll help out in any way I can!

Anonymous said...

I'll be praying no matter what...not sure what December will bring yet, so holding off on promises to sign up just yet - AZ is with you in spirit regardless.

Unknown said...

What a great blog hop idea! I will almost definitely be on holiday with family on Dec 24th. But can I do a pre-scheduled post on that day? It just means I wouldn't be able to visit other people's blogs till after Christmas ... But I'd love to represent SOUTH AFRICA!

Mark Koopmans said...

@Rachel: I have a feeling many will be in the same boat as you (do you have a life vest??) :)

Therefore, I think a pre-scheduled post is absolutely fine!

(I plan to spend several days visiting participants - I know I won't be able to do *everything* on Christmas Eve. :)

PS: Thanks so much! I have you down for South Africa (and Misha will be right there beside you :)

Toi Thomas said...

I stumbled upon this via Alex J. Cavanaugh. I would be proud to represent VA. I'll post the button on my blog in December and spread the word.

Deniz Bevan said...

Great idea Mark!
Depending on who you get, I could represent either Montreal, Canada or Istanbul, Turkey :-)

Tina said...

2013 has been one of the hardest years ever for me. Yet I know God is there for me. I have no idea what all this testing is about, but I know it's for my own good.
I would love to join you for this event representing Colorado. I'll be back to sign up on Dec. 2!
Also, thank you for joining me and MJ in our food drive efforts. I appreciate it.
Will tweet this post.
Tina @ Life is Good

Tyrean Martinson said...

I have to admit I was planning on taking a big break in the last half of December from blogging, but this is an event I really want to be a part of.

Please count me in for the state of Washington.
Thank you, Mark. I'll be back to sign up soon!

Elsie Amata said...

This worked out great. I came across this during the IWSG from Tyrean's blog. I'll happily represent NY. Will you send a reminder to us?

Anonymous said...

Dude!! I'll represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania if you don't have anyone yet. :) Lily

Mildred R Holmes said...

Minnesota here. Posted on my Facebook page and will set up an event for it. Haven't been as active on my blogs due to NaNoWriMo, Facebook and NaNo forums. Oh and Twitter.

Unknown said...

I don't think I saw Oklahoma--did I miss it? If not, I will gladly represent my state!

quietspirit said...

I saw someone from Indiana already. But I,too, want to participate representing the "Hoosier" state.

Our son lives in Kansas. If you don't get anyone to pray for that state, let me know.

Gwen Gardner said...

I'm in from California!

Vanessa Morgan said...

I'd love to participate. I'm from Belgium, Europe.

Anonymous said...

I'll do a post on the 2nd. Will also participate. I'm in Michigan.

CWMartin said...

I saw this on Elsie Amata's blog. If you need a second from Indiana, I'm there.

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm from PA, and I'll do an announcement on the second!

Just let me know - yolandarenee(at)hotmail(dot)com

PK HREZO said...

Love this idea Mark. And I'll help represent FLA. :)

Michelle Wallace said...

Hi Mark.
This sounds like a wonderful initiative! And you can place me alongside my fellow South Africans, Misha Gericke and Rachel Morgan.
What do you actually need me to do? Besides the post on the 24th?

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