In the wake of the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, where two children, Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed and 17 others injured during a school Mass, prayer has emerged not only as a source of solace but as an act of defiance against evil. The tragedy, which unfolded as children worshipped, underscores the profound power of prayer in the face of unspeakable darkness.
Yet, astonishingly, some political figures have chosen to mock and dismiss this sacred act, revealing a disconnect from the faith that sustains millions of Americans. Prayer, as exemplified by Jesus Christ Himself, is not a passive gesture but a bold stand against the forces of hatred and despair. We must defend prayer now more than ever.
The attack at Annunciation was a deliberate assault on innocence, with the “transgender” shooter firing through stained-glass windows at children gathered in prayer. In this moment of profound grief, President Donald Trump called for Americans to join him in praying for the victims, a plea echoed by Vice President JD Vance and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Shockingly, this call to spiritual unity was met with derision from Democrat leaders. Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declared, “Prayer is not freaking enough,” while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Rep. Maxwell Frost dismissed “thoughts and prayers” as inadequate, with Frey even mocking the child victims’ final prayers.
There is a very thin line between their attacks on prayer and the disturbing message the “transgender” gunman wrote on one of his magazines: “Where is your God?”
To mock prayer in the aftermath of such a tragedy is to misunderstand its purpose and power. Prayer is not a substitute for action, as Vice President Vance rightly stated: “Literally no one thinks prayer is a substitute for action. We pray because our hearts are broken and we believe that God is listening.”
Prayer is an act of rebellion against evil. It is a refusal to let despair have the final word. Jesus Himself prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the cross awaited Him. His prayer was not weakness but strength in the face of unimaginable suffering.
The children of Annunciation were praying when the deranged “trans” monster attacked them. Like Jesus, their prayers were a testament to their faith in something greater than the violence that sought to silence them.
The criticism of prayer by left-wing figures reveals a troubling disdain for the spiritual resilience that has long anchored communities in crisis. As Leavitt noted, such remarks are “incredibly insensitive and disrespectful” to the millions who find hope and strength in prayer.
Prayer is not inaction; it is the foundation for action. It centers the soul, aligns the heart with purpose, and inspires the courage to confront evil. The teachers and older students at Annunciation, who heroically moved younger children to safety under pews within seconds of hearing gunfire, embodied this courage, undoubtedly fortified by their faith in God. To dismiss prayer is to dismiss the very thing that drove their bravery.
In a world where evil can shatter the sanctity of a church, prayer is a radical act of defiance. It declares that hatred will not prevail, that love and faith in God will endure. Jesus was killed while praying, too, and the children of Annunciation remind us that prayer is not a retreat but a resistance.
Never let anyone stop you from praying. As we honor Fletcher and Harper, let us pray not only for healing but for the strength to stand against the darkness, as Christ did, with unwavering faith.
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Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
