Prayer Vigil Planned for Missing Country Singer Craig Strickland

By Timothy Yap Dec 30, 2015 03:29 AM EST

Early on Sunday morning (Dec. 27), Craig Strickland, the lead singer of country/rock band Backroad Anthem, and his friend Chase Morland went to Kaw Lake, in Kay County, Okla., for a duck hunt. However, as they were duck hunting, the weather turned sour. After 48 hours,Strickland is still missing. The family is calling for a prayer vigil to pray for the safety of the singer.

A search began late Sunday night after the two failed to make contact with their families for 24 hours, according to a post on Backroad Anthem's Facebook page. PoncaCityNow.com reports that a capsized boat was found just after midnight on Monday (Dec. 28). Morland, who was 22 was found dead that afternoon, with Strickland's dog Sam found alive next to Morland's body.

"He was a brave boy," Strickland's wife, Helen Strickland, writes on Twitter, noting that Sam is "fine." "He wouldn't leave Chase's body until the Warden found him."

A search team continues to look for Strickland, 29, with a sonar-equipped boat, while his family "[is] trying to think of a scenario where he is still alive" and "[h]oping against the odds."

The band's also invites fans to pray for Strickland and his family. "Please join us tonight at the Cross Church Springdale student building as we pray for Craig, the families, and his safety. It starts at 9 pm and everyone is welcome. If you can't make it, please join us in prayer at 9 from home. The power of prayer is huge. ‪#‎prayersforCraig‬."

"Everyone please say special prayers for the family of Chase Morland. They were very close friends and it is such a heartbreaking loss. Randy Strickland (Craig's father) has informed us Craig has not been found. Please keep praying for his safety."