A Prayer Through Tears

If you've been watching the news at all, you are aware of the horrible violence and murders that have taken place in Connetticut.  Here is a prayer shared by The God Article.  I hope it touches you as it did me.  Blessings.  ~ Ben

A Prayer for the Conn. Elementary Shooting
from The God Article

Good and gracious God,

Today we are reminded
that we live in a broken world.
We are reminded of how fragile
life really is.

Some will surely say,
“Where is your God?”
And it is easy to echo their question.
But remind us that you
did not cause this tragedy
or any other.
Remind us that you suffer
with those who suffer.
You reach out and offer them
a loving embrace of comfort.
You call on your people
to do the same.

While we know in our hearts
that this tragedy was senseless,
we also know that you
have a beautiful way of pulling meaning
out of the senseless
in order to help us move forward
and grow closer to you.

So for this moment,
we hold in our hearts
the children and the teachers killed,
the families who will now grieve
and, yes, even the shooter.
And even as we remember them,
we give thanks for the knowledge
that you love each of them
and have invited them into your presences.

Once we have grieved this tragedy,
turn our minds toward the problem
of violence in this world.
Help us to bracket out
political perspectives
and the monetary call of big business,
and focus our hearts and minds
on the love of your creation,
the love of our neighbor.

May the way we move forward
honor the lives that have been lost.

Amen.