Prayer for those who perished in Newtown, Conn.

Connecticut State Police released the following list of names and dates of birth for 26 people who perished on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, during and after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
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O Gracious God, whose mercies cannot be numbered, and whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust these children and teachers to your never-failing care and love:

Charlotte Bacon, Feb. 22, 2006

Daniel Barden, Sept. 25, 2005

Rachel Davino, July 17, 1983

Olivia Engel, July 18, 2006

Josephine Gay, Dec. 11, 2005

Ana M. Marquez-Greene, April 4, 2006

Dylan Hockley, March 8, 2006

Dawn Hochsprung, June 28, 1965

Madeleine F. Hsu, July 10, 2006

Catherine V. Hubbard, June 8, 2006

Chase Kowalski, Oct. 31, 2005

Jesse Lewis, June 30, 2006

James Mattioli, March 22, 2006

Grace McDonnell, Nov. 4, 2005

Anne Marie Murphy, July 25, 1960

Emilie Parker, May 12, 2006

Jack Pinto, May 6, 2006

Noah Pozner, Nov. 20, 2006

Caroline Previdi, Sept. 7, 2006

Jessica Rekos, May 10, 2006

Avielle Richman, Oct. 17, 2006

Lauren Rousseau, June of 1982

Mary Sherlach, Feb. 11, 1956

Victoria Soto, Nov. 4, 1985

Benjamin Wheeler, Sept. 12, 2006

Allison N. Wyatt, July 3, 2006

Almighty and merciful Father, deal graciously with their families, friends, and communities in their grief. Surround them all with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come.

We also pray for the shooter’s mother, Nancy Lanza, who died at the hands of her son, as well as for her son who died by his own hand.

We pray all these things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.