Father God,

We sit in the numbness and the rawness of our grief as we dwell on the tragedy that unfolded just hours ago.

We think of the homes where 19 little ones won’t be asking for snacks or calling out to their mamas because they’ve had a bad dream or saying, “I’m bored” this summer. We think of the homes where a plate won’t be set out for dinner. Homes where sneakers that won’t be laced up lie in hallways. Lord, as a mom I think: how can one begin to do laundry for a child who isn’t going to wear those PJ’s again? How can one begin to make that bed with Star Wars sheets or put away those toys that she got for Christmas? As a mom, I think: what a mama wouldn’t give for one more day, one more hug, one more kiss goodnight?

Oh, Lord, our hearts break.

And we know that Yours does too.

Father, we don’t come to offer “thoughts and prayers” as if it were a mere ritual or worse still a trending hashtag. But we come in a posture of prayer because it’s through the language of lament that we can begin to heal and find hope.

Father, we don’t seek an answer because we know there isn’t one that we can comprehend. We don’t seek to “make sense” of this situation because there is no reason or logic or explanation that can help untangle or decipher this.

But we seek You because You know what it is to be separated from your Child as Your Son died a cruel death. We seek You because You knit those 21 individuals carefully and thoughtfully. You knew each of them by name. You knew their smiles and the color of their eyes. You placed them in their families. And You loved them with an everlasting love.

Oh, Lord, our hearts break.

And we know that Yours does more.

Lord, as someone who once lived in the US as an immigrant, I know that many of those parents are especially vulnerable. The very reason they left what was familiar and came to America was to give their children a promising future. They lived for their children and through their children. And in the blink of an eye, that dream has been crushed. Many of them may not have the resources or even the language to do the next thing. Have mercy on them, Lord. Hold them in Your arms as they grieve their children and the death of their dreams.

Father, we also cry out in anger against systems that protect and promote evil. But we know that this is not merely about political agendas. This is about an enemy who speaks deception and causes division. Lord, we know that till we put You first, nothing will change. So, Father we pray that we will put God before rights, and God before politics, and God before power. But may it begin with us, as we put God before self.

Father, our heavy hearts makes us simply cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus. We need You.” With tears in our eyes, we look to heaven and we long for that new heaven and new earth. We look forward to the day when there will be no more pain or sorrow, no more tears or death.

But for now, we grieve.

But not alone.

We grieve with a God who grieves with us.

We grieve with a God who wipes our tears.

We grieve with a God who offers us eternal hope.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen