A Prayer for Geontae

According to the Huntsville Times, what started out as a tragic carjacking, has turned into an not-so-elaborate hoax that ended in the death of a 5-year-old boy.

Merciful God, our Heavenly Parent,
Welcome into your arms Geontae, who had no one to hold him here on earth.
May he find comfort and peace in you, when he had none here.
Comfort those who loved him and strengthen them in this time of pain,
so that they might live a life that Geontae never had the chance to.
We pray for justice with mercy for those involved in this awful event,
may your wisdom prevail as judgments must be made and pronounced.
Afflict us, your people, his community, with a conviction to do more.
Challenge us to speak out against violence and abuse.
Help us to be champions for the poor, the marginalized, the ones who are weak.
No one should be afraid to be a child.
Open our ears to hear the cries of those in distress,
Open our hearts to welcome in those who have been cast off,
Open our hands to do Christ's work of bringing about your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Loving God,
Fill us with an active love that accomplishes change and brings new life. Amen.