A Prayer for the Children

We've unfortunately seen many senseless acts of violence in our lifetime; however this most recent one is tearing at the souls of everyone even more because of so many innocent children involved.  I can't imagine losing a child... and as I see the pictures of both the children and their grieving families I can't stop the tears or the longing to ease their pain.  All I can do from here ho is Pray for the children, their families and the entire community.  I can't fathom such heartache...

A Prayer for the Children

On Friday, December 14, 2012, 20 children were killed in a shooting rampage at an elementary
school in Newtown, Connecticut. Seven adults, including the gunman, also died at the scene. As
the families and friends of the deceased mourn the loss of their loved ones, we pray for the
children, and for all those whose lives have been affected by this tragedy.
Our hearts are broken.
Today, in the midst of holiday cheer,
we are painfully reminded of the cruelty and fragility of our lives together.
How do we live with such unimaginable grief?
How do we comfort such intolerable pain?
How do we care for each other in a world where violence seems so readily accessible?
Great comforter and protector,
We have no answers.
No words that can heal the broken heartedness we feel.
Yet you have promised to heal the broken hearted and to bind up their wounds.
We cling ardently to this assurance.
This is the world that Christ is born into;
A world bursting with broken-hearted people.
This is the world that you call us to sing, ‘Rejoice’ in.
The pain is too fresh, the wounds are too raw,
Yet still, we light the pink candle in anticipation of your fulfilled promises.
Until then,
we will continue to pray
For the parents,
For the families,
For the victims,
For the teachers,
For the first responders,
For the survivors, and
For all who have been crushed by this shooting.
We will hold them in our hearts.
We will strive to compassionately care for each other.
And, we will honor and lift-up our children,
For in them the light of Christ beams.
Amen.

Alydia Smith
The United Church of Canada