On August 27, 2025, Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis became the scene of a horrific tragedy. A shooter opened fire, killing two and injuring 17 others, including children. The suspect, identified as Robin Westman, a transgender individual, had a history of mental illness, animosity towards Christians, and prescription drug use. Witnesses confirmed that the attack was deliberately aimed at the Catholic community, marking it as one of the most overtly anti-Christian acts of violence in recent memory.
In the wake of this attack, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press conference that quickly attracted national scrutiny. Instead of acknowledging the evident anti-Christian motives behind the shooting, Frey criticized Christians for their response. “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now,” he stated. “These kids were literally praying.” His dismissive remark seemed to mock the foundational aspects of Christian faith. For many believers, prayer is a sacred dialogue with God, not a mere ritual to be derided.
Christians assert that God’s gift of free will includes the ability to choose between good and evil. The shooter, Westman, made a conscious choice to commit evil. Rather than viewing the tragedy as proof of God’s absence in moments of hardship, many Christians see these times as opportunities for God’s presence to shine through suffering. The crucifixion serves as a poignant reminder that God enters into human pain rather than standing apart from it.
Prayer, therefore, is not a charm to prevent misfortune but a way to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. It provides strength and solace during affliction. The hurt in the aftermath of violence does not negate the importance of prayer. Rather, it reveals how prayer often leads to greater tenacity in faith. Mayor Frey’s misunderstanding lies in viewing prayer as a transactional plea for outcomes, rather than recognizing its true essence as a connection with the divine.
Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent Catholic voice in Minnesota, responded to Mayor Frey’s comments. He called the mayor’s remarks “completely asinine,” emphasizing that prayer is crucial for spiritual unity and hope during tragedy. “Catholics don’t think that prayer magically protects them from all suffering,” he noted. “After all, Jesus prayed fervently from the cross on which he was dying.” His comments highlighted the distinction between personal prayers and the broader context of increasing violence against Christians in America, where acts of aggression have surged by 700 percent over the past seven years.
Bishop Barron pointed out the hypocrisy in how these violent acts are perceived based on their religious context. “If someone attacked a synagogue while congregants were praying, would anyone doubt that it was an antisemitic act? If someone shot up a mosque while the devout were praying, would anyone doubt that it was an anti-Islamic act? So, why would we even hesitate to say that a maniac shooting into a Catholic Church while children are at prayer was committing an anti-Catholic act?” His words serve as a call for recognition and acknowledgment of the growing threat faced by Christians.
Other religious leaders joined in the conversation. At a Democratic National Committee meeting, Bishop Leah Daughtry offered prayers for comfort amidst the chaos, expressing the collective pain felt in the face of such hatred. “We bring our tears, our confusion, our pain, our anger and our grief — for lives snatched away too soon, for families and friends left devastated, for the forces of hatred on earth,” she pleaded, questioning how long such violence would continue unchallenged.
Political figures also stepped into the fray to defend the importance of prayer amidst tragedy. Vice President J.D. Vance, himself a Catholic, chastised those who belittle “thoughts and prayers.” He emphasized that prayer offers healing to broken hearts and invites divine engagement in difficult times. “We pray because we know God listens,” he remarked, reinforcing the belief that prayer can lead to tangible action born from faith.
In tragic moments, Christians find hope not in the absence of pain, but in God’s promise to stand with them as they navigate through trials. As expressed in Isaiah 43:2: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.” The essence of prayer lies in its reminder that God walks alongside humanity, even amid chaos and fear. This perspective offers a grounding truth in the face of disillusionment.
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