I’m the father of a kindergartner. My heart is broken. Just broken. I can’t even get my head around this horrific tragedy. I can’t understand it, much less help others to understand it. But, I can pray. We all can.

Officiant
Lord Jesus, you call the little children to come to you. And it is to you that we come, and to you that we pray.

Intercessor
Lord, we pray for the children who were so tragically killed. We pray for their parents, grand-parents, siblings, and friends. And we pray for all who love them and who had beautiful dreams for their beautiful lives.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for the principal, teachers, and staff who were killed. We pray for their spouses and children. For all the dreams they had, and for all the good they sought to do with their lives.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for all who live in homes with Christmas trees and menorah’s set-up and lit, but around which there will be no rejoicing this year.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for all the children and staff who were at the school that day. For those who saw horrific sights. For those whose innocence was robbed from them. For those who mourn deeply for those they knew so well.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for the police, the school administrators, the clergy, the funeral directors, and all who have sad work ahead of them in the days to come.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for all victims of violence, for those who know violence all too well, and for those who bear the scars outwardly and inwardly.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

In the spirit of you, O Christ, who commanded us to love, and pray for, our enemies; we pray for those who seek to do others harm. We pray that their hearts be turned, and their minds and souls find healing.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are called to keep us, and our children safe. We pray that they might have wisdom and strength to do the task that is set before them.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Officiant
And, we pray for the day when evil takes its last gasp. When the light finally, and thoroughly, snuffs out the darkness in this world, and the darkness which infects the hearts of men who do unspeakable wrong. Amen.