“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
For Jared and Lacy Taylor, the fall of 2008 seemed full of promise. They were expecting their first child when their season of blessing seemed to slip through their hands. Without warning, they found themselves in a season of testing when God took them down an unexpected road and Lacy gave birth to their daughter 15 weeks early on Jan. 31, 2009.
Jared and Lacy Taylor, left, present the first gift from “Praise and Pray Ministries” to Carie and T.J. Farr in memory of the Taylors’ daughter, Alayna.Alayna Renee Taylor weighed less than two pounds. During the 99 days she lived in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Spartanburg Regional Hospital, her parents chose not to dwell on their disappointments and frustrations. Instead, they “prayed that God would let us be better witnesses for him,” Jared said. “We prayed that he would open doors and give us opportunities.”
They started a CaringBridge website for their daughter. The site’s motto became “Praise and Pray” because the Taylors wanted to give God the praise for Alayna’s victories and for everything he was doing on their behalf.
On May 9, 2009, Alayna died, and Jared and Lacy entered a season of mourning. During that time, they recalled ways God used their daughter’s life to demonstrate grace to thousands of people. The “Praise and Pray” website had received more than 100,000 hits, and through it prayer lives were strengthened, lives were renewed in Christ, and others accepted him as Savior.
“I have never seen one life impact so many people in just a few short months,” said Joe White, former pastor of West Springs Baptist Church, Pauline, who ministered to the Taylors. “I firmly attribute this to the faith of her parents and other family members as they committed themselves to live under the banner of ‘Praise and Pray’ during Alayna’s time in the NICU. Just as Alayna lives on in heaven, her purpose on earth continues as well.”
The Taylors felt God was calling them to minister to other parents with babies in the NICU. In the months since, with the support of their church and community, they have been able to provide packages of useful items such as baby and hand lotion, a disposable camera, a Subway gift card, a bib, hand sanitizer, “Praise and Pray” bracelets, and a letter from the Taylors with a note saying that Bibles are available upon request.
Jared and Lacy launched “Praise and Pray Ministries” on what would have been Alayna’s first birthday – Jan. 31, 2010, and gave 100 packages to the hospital. To date, they have distributed 275 packages and 200 Bibles.
The first package went to Allyson (Ally) Taylor Farr, born 13 weeks early on Jan. 24, 2010. Her parents, Carie and T.J., were aware of the long road ahead because, a year before, they’d stood beside their friends, Jared and Lacy Taylor, while Alayna was in the NICU.
“It means a lot to get the first package, knowing that each item has symbolic meaning and is given in love,” Carie said. “Just to know someone else has been down the same road helps so much.”
The Taylors, who now are in a season of healing, say they are trusting God with their past, present and future as they continue to be on mission for him.
“The Bible says, ‘All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose,’?” Lacy said. “That’s my life verse.”
– For more information about the Taylors’ NICU ministry, including information on how to contact them for speaking engagements, visit http://www.praiseandpray.org.