Support for Jill Carroll

Jill, The world is now a scary place and people like you are heroes. Your abduction breaks my heart, and the only way I can help is to think of you and offer my silent hope that your kidnappers will recognize your goodness.

Darlene Blair, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

As an Iranian student, I wish to lend my support to the release of Jill Carroll. Jill, my hope is that you can see your family again. We have all prayed together for safety and release.

Saeed Mirzabeygi, Tehran, Iran

Jill,

You are not forgotten. So many are praying for your release and the release of all hostages and prisoners of conscience everywhere. I pray for your physical, mental, and spiritual health and that of those who are holding you, that they may see the Light of our One God and their hearts may be warmed by Love for all, just as the earth here in my little part of the world is warming with the beginnings of Spring.

Anne Russell, Olney, Md., USA

Dear Jill,

Your story has become a story of many stories, told and untold. Some of us have united to pray for your safety and deliverance... Others have become perhaps more interested in Iraq. Some of us can relate to your situation and remember how we overcame fear and danger. As I talk to people and we talk about you, I hear stories of their prayer, their own deliverance, their fears, their love... Do you realize how much bigger your story becomes by the day? How it is that the more we wait and pray, more bonds of goodness pour out? Whether we see it or not... we are connecting because of your story. I hope you are at peace and never give up. May your prayers, your family's prayers, and our prayers guide you and the captors, and all of us, to witness your freedom and our own. I see how your story has brought us closer to love one another, to try to understand one another. Your story means unity. May God give you strength, peace, love, courage and deliverance. The world is embracing you and your our family in LOVE.

Jacqueline Jordan-Martin, San Diego, Calif., USA

I pray for you and think of you as the full moon rises. My hope is that you can see the moon and know how many of us on this planet are praying for your release and for your captors. My prayers are with your family and friends too. The world needs your voice. With respect,

Kim Kambak, Prineville, Ore., USA

Isaiah 41: 10 has always been such a comfort when fear of any kind has come into my life.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Having worked and lived in Middle Eastern countries for a short time some years ago, I came to realize we are 'all God's children', just in different locations. We are all under His wing, always.....and I know God is caring for you, Jill, right at this very moment...my prayers are with you and the ones that are with you. Open your right hand, and hold on tight, because 'He is". "Thy Will Be Done" and I know His Will will be good...with Love for you all and your family...God Bless you...every moment.

Ruth Parkhurst and Family, Glendale, Calif., USA

Jill is a beacon of light to all who believe in the goodness of the human spirit. Please let her return home safely to her family.

D. George, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

As the story of Jill Carroll's abduction and interminable imprisonment has unfolded, one message has come through clearly, and that is of her respect for, and love of the Iraqi people. She chose to live among them, sharing their daily life and terrors. Her plea for our understanding was implicit in her journalism. May we open our hearts to the plight of all people caught in the horrors of war, whether it be in Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, or elsewhere. I too pray to our Creator that Jill be released safely, and soon. I am sure her message will still be one of reason, peace and understanding.

Cynthia Richardson, Stevensville, Mich., USA

Jill, we have held you in our hearts and prayers since hearing of your capture. The 23rd Psalm has seemed as if it was written for you. I have often centered on the verse: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

In the past, I just assumed the table had daily food. Since your capture, I've realized that it would also be set with spiritual sustenance such as patience, strength, hope, and love. I pray that you are seeing this table of bounty before you and that it is giving you what you need to get through these times.

We will all rejoice at your release and hope you will share with us the wisdom you attained during this most difficult of life experiences.

Linda Lee and Carol Herbert, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

To Jill's Captors:

The only way we can really know Allah (God) is through our consciousness of care, concern, compassion, cooperation, and love. Don't be afraid to love. Don't be afraid of love. How easy it seems at times to hate, but how much more magnificent it is to love. People around the world are reaching out to you in love. No matter what our sins or crimes are, we all will learn one day that there is only love. Let it be sooner rather than later.

Brian Kissock, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Dear Jill,

As I have read so many letters supporting you in your quest for freedom, I have become very aware that no one writing asks about your religion, your politics, or even your prejudices – if you have any. Instead, I see that all faiths, political sides, and biases are present, but each one is tempered with the individual's sincerity of heart and prayers for your quick and safe release.

I'm beginning to believe your role in all of this has more to with turning the hearts and minds of your fellow men and women to the idea that all of our prayers for your freedom and peace are creating a pool of Love that offers its healing waters to all mankind and in every nation. We need this constant reminder that we are all one in the Creator's eyes, and we are all innocent as His children. Thank you, Jill, for your courage and your example.

Kristen Wakefield, Sacramento, Calif., USA

Jill, Anyone who knows of your brave and love-inspired work is praying for and supporting you and your family. The founder of The Christian Science Monitor, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote: "Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, – these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence" (Science and Health, p. 58). These concepts describe your work and assure your safety and certain release from captivity. We all love you.

Sally and Norman Anderson, Mercer Island, Wash., USA

Jill, our prayers are with you and we hope that your captors understand that inflicting pain and suffering on innocent people will not cause government policies to change.

Be strong, hold on to your faith, and may God protect you in your time of need. God is all-loving and doesn't choose sides.

Paul Jasinevicius, Park Forest, Ill., USA

Jill - You've been gone two months today yet your words and smile still touch my heart. I hope you can feel my prayers as well as the thousands upon thousands of others from across the world, across all faiths and across all cultures that are reaching out to comfort you in the only way we have. You are always with us, Jill. Come home to us safe.

Vic Alonzi, Tulsa, Okla., USA

Not unlike what must now be thousands of Jill's concerned sisters and brothers around the world, I check the Christian Science Monitor's update daily. I have a visual that always makes me smile during my prayer. It is of Jill, sitting with a cat in her lap, home at last, reading through these many e-mails. Won't that be lovely? Soon!

Nancy Martin, Kent, Wash., USA

Jill, over these last weeks, we have tried to imagine what you, as well as your family, must be going through. But of course, we do not know. We are college friends of your parents and have seen you and Katie grow up to become the wonderful young women that you are. We can only send our positive thoughts and hope for you that all will resolve peacefully. In unity with so many others, our candle is burning day and night and our thoughts are with you and your family.

Carol Weisbecker and Mike Ernst, Bellevue, Wash., USA

I pray for the good of all people involved that Jill Carroll will be released soon. Ms. Carroll's contributions to Iraq by the fairness of her journalism must be recognized and honored by her release from capitivity. I pray to know that the right and honorable thing will be done as soon as possible.

Marilyn McDonald, Reno, Nev., USA

Dear Jill, you may not know it, but the world has come to know you and love you and to recognize the value of the courageous work you have done in Iraq. I feel I owe you a debt of gratitude for just being there, and the only way I know to pay that debt is to pray for your safe release. May you feel God’s love protecting you at all times, and may your captors wake to recognize their mistake and find the courage to set you free. My heart is with you and your dear family.

Gloria Onyuru, Ankara, Turkey

Jill, you are in my thoughts daily. I hope that you will soon be returned to your family. The days must be long and difficult, but keep positive. I am writing from England where I know many, many others wish for your safe return.

Sue Chamberlain, Northampton, England

Here's a lady I've never met, yet I talk about her daily with my friends and family. And, daily they ask me, "Have you heard any updates about Jill?" What a truly wonderful lady she is to be able to affect so many people who have never met her. So many appreciate all that she does and respect her honest and upright approach in all that she projects.

Jill and family, you're in our thoughts and prayers constantly. I pray that Jill's captors will realize that we're all God's children.

My family, friends, co-workers, and I will all continue to think of you and hold you in our prayers.

Laura Brown and family, Littleton, Colo., USA

Jill, I hope that your captors recognize your unselfish motives and your love and goodwill toward their people, and that their conscience will not allow them to do you harm. People all over the world keep you in their thoughts and prayers. May that help you to keep your spirits up.

Edeltraut Bilger, Madison, Wis., USA

I love all that Jill has done to teach me and others in the world more about the lives of our brothers and sisters in Iraq. How I pray that she will be released and have her voice restored. We in America have such a need for reporters who understand and love the people of the world who live and work outside our borders. Jill is an inspiration to us all.

Laura Hausladen, St. Louis, Mo., USA

I write from New Orleans, Louisiana, and check the Monitor every day in hopes that you are released. Hopefully you will be returned soon and have the opportunity to read through all these posts and know that the world has been waiting for your return.

Andy Jacoby, New Orleans, La., USA

Just another voice to tell you how many are praying for Jill's safe return. The story of her commitment to bringing the truth is inspiring even to those who have no personal connection. She is in my prayers and my thoughts, along with her family and friends.

Maia Tolsdorf, West Chester, Pa., USA