When tragedy strikes, Christians pray.
That is not a slogan, it is not an evasion, nor is it a hollow substitute for action. It is instead a mere reflex of our faith. In a culture increasingly detached from genuine belief, I'm not inclined to get angry or impatient with those who may find such a response perplexing, or even foolish. Yet for those who understand, the first impulse of the believer is to fall to our knees, knowing there is a Sovereign God who bends His ear toward His people - in our triumphs and our tragedies.
We do not pray instead of acting; we pray because it is an action, and because we know that without God, all our actions are futile and amount to nothing.
That is why, following the horrific slayings at Annunciation Catholic Church and School Wednesday, it was so disheartening to hear Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sneer, "Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now: these kids were literally praying."
I understand that he is a politician and that he saw this as an opportunity to land a political jab. But as He has a way of doing, God used Frey's insensitive remarks to reveal the very heartbeat of the Christian life.
Other politicians like California Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed that refrain.
Yes, those children were praying. They were speaking to their Heavenly Father in the very moment two of their lives were cut short and they were ushered into His presence. And while this truth may escape Frey and countless others unfamiliar with genuine Christian faith, the tragedy does not mean prayer failed. It means those prayers were heard and answered in ways beyond the imagination of the cynical world that mocks them. Those little ones now rest safely in the presence of Christ.
Prayer does not fail simply because evil men commit evil deeds. It endures because it reaches the only One who can overcome death itself.
So why are we treated to this routine of running down "thoughts and prayers" in times of tragedy? Why do so many, like former Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki, attack "thoughts and prayers" as though we Christians believe they provide some sort of magic force field against evil or an excuse for passivity? Why the thinly veiled bigotry towards Christians in the very hour that their fellow Christians are gunned down in hate?
Primarily because so many in contemporary American society have - at best - a superficial, painfully distorted understanding of actual orthodox Christian thought.
They mock what they simply do not understand.
Mean-spirited? Obviously. But again, this is just the logical manifestation of a frustrated soul who knows something is wrong but lacks the spiritual vision to see that the problem is not merely political machinery but the brokenness of the human heart.
Prayer was never meant to be a human-engineered solution to policy debates. When we pray, we invoke the God of justice against evil, we bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, and we resist the lie that any political scheme can usher in heaven on earth. Prayer is what Christ Himself commanded us to do in the face of hatred and violence.
So we pray for the grieving families, for the wounded children, for the first responders, for wisdom for leaders, even for our enemies who hate us. And then, as our Lord taught, we will rise from our knees and do good works - care for the broken, protect the innocent, and proclaim the hope of the gospel in a world darkened by sin.
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Not the Bee or any of its affiliates.
