Prayer after the shooting in Robb Elementary School

God, rock the weeping parents
of Uvalde, Texas
in your tender arms.
Ease the fear and pain of brothers and sisters,
and sit beside them in nightmares.

Companion where comforting fails,
and hold those who grieve
Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia.
Ease the hearts of emergency responders,
of medical teams working now,
with the families of the injured.

Give calm moments
in the tornado of loss, guilt, confusion,
of family, friends, work mates
of Salvador Ramos,
and especially those
who know his grandmother.

Be with teachers and counselors
of the Robb Elementary School
as school ends abruptly
to recognize trauma
among survivors this month
and for years to come,
and bring counselors to the counselors
who will hold this in their hearts,
and teach us all the things
that make for peace.

Be Parent to parents everywhere
terrified to send their children to school.
Be Teacher to teachers,
with the right words to say,
and turn every school administrator
into a Guide and Light
for the path to come.

Holy One, who calls – Woe
upon all who put a stone for stumbling
before any child, have mercy on us
if we do not remove weapons
from the hands of children,
and from the schools of children.
amen