Prayers for Uvaldeare a reminder that our hearts are breaking. Murders in Uvalde are despicable. Sadness and despair overwhelm us as we reflect on the tragic loss of these children and their teachers, the crushing sorrow of their loved ones, and the suffering of the injured and traumatized people who live in that community. Jesus invited the kids to come to him and be held. Our hearts are broken, but we hope these lost children find peace in this. We wish for the unthinkable that their loved ones may find solace. We hope that this tragedy never befalls any other kid or family. We hope that one day soon, as a country, we'll be able to wrap our arms around our kids and keep them safe, putting their futures and lives first.
For our inability to achieve this, we beg God's forgiveness. We beg God to give us the fortitude to stop this horrific, widespread practice. At least 14 elementary school children and one teacher were shot and killed by an adolescent at their Uvalde school. Not at some far-flung locale but rather here in the West Texas Diocese.
In the magnificent parish family of St. Philip's, there are no strangers, just children of a close-knit community. Many people we care about are horrified by the events of the last 24 hours, and they are searching for ways to help the victims' families and the community as a whole. That is just incorrect.
We come to you again with heavy hearts, God of mercy and compassion, for we have heard the cries of the murdered screaming to us from the earth. We have traveled here to Uvalde, Texas, to honor the memory of those who perished and those who were hurt there. We beg you to have mercy on us.
Even though we live in a flawed world, it is clear to us that you are a God who can restore order through fairness and righteousness. We have faith that you will be there for those who are crying out in pain and grief. We pray that you will fill us with your Spirit so that we can be strong allies to those who are suffering right now and continue to be beacons of hope in a world that may feel so gloomy at times due to the prevalence of violence.
We beg you to lift the violence curse from our hearts and minds. Please, Lord, give us the courage to speak up for what is right, to work toward lasting peace, and to show mercy and compassion to those who are in need.
Please instruct us in the ways of God. Might we be granted the understanding and fortitude to lay down our weapons and work toward peace? Put us to use, go through us, and, if necessary, go around us to fix our shattered country.
In your heart, please make room for the victims of violence and hatred. Join us as we move forward in the wake of tragedy. Help those who have suffered an untimely and pointless loss to feel better. Use your grace to give them new motivation.
Try to cheer her up while she's sick in bed. We beseech God for healing, knowing that nothing is beyond His power to restore healthto if that is His will. In light of this, we beg You to bestow Your favor upon our friend, restore her health, and cast away her sickness in the name of Your great love. Lord God, I pray for Your protection as I begin this day. You are my hiding place, and under Your wings I can always find refuge. Protect me from trouble wherever I go, and keep evil far from me.
We can't find the right words to describe how much we despise what happened to those innocent kids who went to school this morning. The anguish felt by these families tonight cannot be adequately conveyed in words. Nothing we can say today can bring peace to the hearts of the parents, siblings, and grandparents but prayersfor Uvalde whose lives have been upended by this awful act.