On Wednesday, August 27th, a lone gunman shot at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing two children and injuring many more. Fletcher Merkel, who was 8, and Harper Moyski, who was 10, were killed inside the Church. I think it is important to say their names because it puts a face to what has happened.
As usual, immediately after the shooting, politicians grabbed the nearest microphone and started making statements. Most of these statements we have heard before and, in the end, will amount to nothing. We listened to the very familiar “thoughts and prayers,” which I guess is supposed to bring some comfort to those whose children were just murdered.
Some, including myself, took aim at those using “thoughts and prayers” and were immediately chastised for it. The Vice President of the United States, a practicing Roman Catholic, took offense that people would question their “thoughts and prayers.” Gun violence and gun control are political issues; there is no way around it, but thoughts and prayers are a theological issue, and so I will address that.
I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. I literally wrote a book about the necessity of prayer in the life of a Christian. We need to start and end each day with prayer. We need to pray for those in need, including friends, family, and others. The Church prays whenever it gathers. Prayer is important.
There are countless examples of Jesus praying in scripture, and a Chapter in the Gospel of Luke has been set aside where the Disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. The prayer we say each time we gather, the Lord’s Prayer, is the result of that question. But prayer is not enough.
Prayer without action is just empty words. If we pray to God to end gun violence but refuse to do anything about it, we are just speaking into the air. Pope Francis said it best when he said, “We pray for hungry people and then we feed them.” We pray and then we do, that’s how it works.
All those politicians have the power to change things in an instant; what they lack is the desire to do so. Legislation could be filed tomorrow to change the gun laws in this country, but politicians are unwilling to do so. Sure, they make speeches, thump their chests, offer up thoughts and prayers, and then move on while the families of dead children are left behind. They will gather in Washington and file special legislation to name a post office after someone or spend money on a bridge to nowhere, but when it comes to protecting kids, well, they are suddenly struck dumb.
Rather than condemning the murder of children in Church, rather than calling for sensible, bipartisan solutions to gun violence, the Vice President of the United States chose to take aim at those calling for more than just empty thoughts and prayers.
In a news conference shortly after the shooting, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said, “These were American families, and the amount of pain that they are suffering right now is extraordinary. Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying.”
Yes, pray for the families of those who were murdered. Yes, pray for those injured. Yes, pray for the community that will now have to deal with this. Pray, pray, pray. But then get up off your knees and DO!
Jesus prayed, and then he fed people. Jesus prayed, and then he healed people. Prayer is good. Prayer is necessary, but if it is not followed by action, it is just empty words.
I’ll conclude with a quote from the Letter of James. James is a great little book that is often overlooked but contains a treasure trove of practical theology. James believed, as I do, that we must combine our faith with works; our faith should drive us to action. Here is what he says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Faith without works is dead. Prayers without action are empty words. By all means, pray, but then get up and do.
