Prayer for the shooting in Santa Clarita, California

God who knits all your children
tenderly and with stitches of grace
before the day they are born,

we pray in sorrow
for this birthday tragedy
of a young man who killed classmates
on his sixteenth birthday.

We pray for two families
torn apart by loss,
for those who were wounded,
for all for whom shelter in place
became a reality
they had never wanted to know
but which will visit their dreams.

We also pray for the family and friends
of that November 14 child
in their terrible searching for clues,
and weeping in loss.

Be with parents, teachers, counselors,
all who care for injuries of spirit
in Santa Clarita,

and parents, teachers and counselors
of other schools worried this morning,
in what way and what day
the candles of their young students
may be blown out. Amen.