Prayer request by Michael Jay Travaglia

I send this prayer request out to all Christians requesting prayer for an important matter.

On July 5, 2005 a new sentencing hearing will be commencing for me in the United States in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A new jury will be impaneled to once again deliberate on a sentence of either life in prison or the death sentence. 

I was originally arrested on January 3, 1980 and tried in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania for the crime of killing a police officer. On February 4, 1981 a jury deliberated and sentenced me to death. 

By the grace of God I was blessed with a new sentencing hearing in my capital case. This relief came on November 7, 1995 through the United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania. 

Since November 7, 1996, numerous pretrial appeals have been taken both by the defense (myself) and the prosecution (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania). These have been concluded and thus, on July 5, 2005, I am scheduled to commence the New Sentencing Hearing.

Since January 24, 1982 I have been a Born Again Christian. I have sought to live my life for Christ since I was saved while confined on death row. 

Myself and my wife; (who is also a Born Again Christian), believe in the power of prayer and that God in his providence does hear and answer our prayers. With this we make a global request for prayer and humbly ask that all who read this “prayer request” that you will pray as led by God regarding these “prayer points”.

We also encourage you to pray as God moves on your heart on behalf of all who will be involved in this new sentencing hearing.

The following “prayer points” we request your prayers on:

1- We ask for prayer that God will receive the praise and glory throughout this new sentencing hearing. Much testimony and evidence will come forth that is not God honoring. In spite of that, we request your prayers that God will be glorified as many will hear of His life changing work in my life from many Christians.

2- Many Christian will testify and we ask that you pray that the Gospel will be given through their testimony of how God changed my life through salvation in Jesus Christ.

3- We ask for your prayers that the hearts of those who are not saved and hear of God’s work in my life will come to know Jesus Christ as their saviour.

4- We ask for prayer that God will be merciful and bless us with a jury that will be deliberate and find for a sentence of life, and not the death penalty again.

5- We ask for your prayers for wisdom for all involved: the Judge, Commonwealth Attorney’s; Defense counsel; all expert witnesses; all lay witnesses; and the integrity and veracity will persist throughout the new sentencing hearing.

We realize that some will not agree with these requests. We ask that those who do agree, that you lift us up before the Lord’s Throne of Grace (Heb. 4:16), and bring these “prayer points” before the Lord, and all else that you feel led by the Lord to bring on our behalf.

With thankfulness and gratitude, please know that we appreciate your prayers on our behalf in this impending matter.

God is gracious and merciful and we rest in Him knowing that he does hear our prayers!

Thank you and may God our Father richly bless you beyond what you contain!


Yours before the Lord’s Throne of Grace!

His bondservant,

Michael Travaglia

Jar. 29:11, John 3:30, Ps. 125:5-5