Christian leaders in the US are offering prayers and support
following the shooting rampage in a Connecticut elementary school last
Friday.Gunman Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children aged between six and seven at Sandy Hook school in Newtown. Six adults also died.
There are reports that a six-year-old British boy, named by the press as Dylan Hockley, was among the children killed.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said it was sending its "most experienced" chaplains to Newtown to support the community.
The chaplains are expecting to find a community going through "incredibly raw" emotions, the BGEA said.
“It’s mostly a ministry of presence,” Becca Dowling said. “There’s a lot of silent prayers going out. It’s not a ministry of a lot of words.”
Al New, deployment manager of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains, added: "We don't have the answers. We can't even begin to understand."
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said the nation had been left "stunned" by the "senseless killings".
He said that many people would be looking for answers.
"The Bible tells us the human heart is 'wicked' and 'who can know it?' My heart aches for the victims, their families and the entire community," he said.
"One thing we can be absolutely sure of is that God loves each one of the victims and all those who are suffering right now as a result of this vicious act. My hope and prayer is that our entire nation will embrace the community of Newtown with our love and cover them with our prayers, asking for God's perfect comfort and peace in the midst of this dark hour."
Local pastor Rocky Veach said: "I think it's indicative of the condition of our culture in this nation that this kind of thing continues to happen. As a pastor, I think we have to look to the Lord. A lot of people are hurting today and it's very sad when you have to ask God for His help to comfort them, and not only for the healing but just for answers as to why this kind of thing continues to happen."
The tragedy has also shaken the music world with Hillsong United saying: "Our thoughts are with the community of Newton, CT - Our prayer is Phil 4:7, that the peace of God which transcends understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."