Thoughts, Prayers... and Questions
We need them all, especially when they are sincere
There’s nothing I can add to the reaction of two young children being shot while attending mass at their Catholic school in Minnesota. All of the descriptions and adjectives have been expressed, and I will channel mine into a quiet walk with the Lord.
Sadly, what always happens that detracts from the human toll is the debate and discussion to make a point.
In one case, Jen Psaki, former press secretary under Barack Obama, made the comment that “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school.”
Reaction was swift, and direct, particularly among those in the public who walk the walk of faith. You may be surprised that I will defend her statement, but only in part. There is frustration over seeing such evil displayed repeatedly in our schools, churches, and workplaces, usually against people who didn’t even know the person with their finger on the trigger. That we have put “thoughts and prayers” out there without meaning it or thinking about it does come across as a hollow statement, especially if there’s little thought or prayer behind it. Insincerity that only serves to make you look prayerful or thoughtful is cruel to be honest.
However, Ms. Psaki, know that prayer is more than enough when we feel lost, discouraged, hopeless and feeling moments of surrender. Prayer is all we have, but it is everything to the believer. Everything.
Prayer will ease a parent’s mind when they send their child to school, resting in the peace of God that they will return safely, and if not, God is very much present in it all, and He is there to see us through any tragedy. We were never, ever promised that suffering would no longer exist after Christ was crucified, but that our suffering would be sanctified, and it’s in our suffering that we can draw closest to God because he, too, suffered for us.
I would daresay in a society that is critical of prayer whenever it’s displayed publicly, prayer could very well be the key to ending school shootings. We can invite those people who are hurting, some so obviously hurting and distraught as to consider violence, to find peace, raise their heads to seek God and not raise a weapon.
Yet society scoffs at prayer, shames many into silence, looks for every opportunity to find dirt on people who speak their faith bravely and publicly, and just doesn’t know exactly what to do with God. What a shame… not knowing what to do with God? How about invite Him into our thoughts and prayers, listen to what He has to say, and follow him?
As for thoughts… I’m not as clear on that word in such situations. Like “I’m thinking about your pain?” “I’m thinking about how sad I am?” Again, usually thoughts people have lead to debates as old as our republic, and debates don’t serve anything. My hope is that “thoughts” lead people to considering what they can do differently to bring more hope and joy and love into our world. Thoughts that stop them from posting a nasty response on the wasteland of social media, just to let others know what their opinion is. Thoughts that state “I need to not try to be right as much as I need to do right.”
Finally, I also see questions in situations like this:
Why did this happen?
What drove this person to act so unconscionably?
Why do we add insult to injury by turning on each other in tragedy?
Where is God in this?
Why does He let things like this happen?
Questions are good, and I have had to grapple with the “why, God?” question myself, and the journey to understanding does bring peace. It’s OK to have questions, particularly related to God. Yet questions without the desire and actions to find the answers are as meaningless as saying “God bless you” when someone sneezes.
If you have questions, ask them, but please by all means, seek the answers. Don’t just shout them in frustration. Learn how, YES, God is in every situation, happy or mournful, joyous or tragic. And learn why we need to lean not unto our own understanding when the answers are still elusive.
So, Ms. Psaki aside, we should know that prayers are enough, because they are the very start of what we can all do. Sincere, questioning, probing, even doubting, prayer. Then listen for the answer, the call of what we can do, who we can touch, who we need to become, to help heal such brokenness.