A word about PRAYER regarding the Minneapolis shootings that took place on

August 27, 2025

A 23 year old shooter killed 2 children, ages 8 & 10, and shot another 19 people through the windows of a Catholic Church in south Minneapolis, and targets adults and children while they prayed.  Then he turned the gun on himself, disgruntled about his life.  Another senseless tragedy, considering mass shootings of the last 3 decades in America as well as a mass shooting 12 hours earlier, also in Minneapolis.  The mayor of Minneapolis wants to skip over prayer in favor of taking action.

While both prayer and steps to take action are necessary, Pastor Greg Laurie of  Riverside, California has something to say about this tragedy:

Pure evil.  How else do you describe it?

In Minneapolis, the shooter scrawled “6 million wasn’t enough” on a magazine of bullets, mocking the Holocaust.  On another:  “Kill Trump.”  He fired at a target with the face of Christ and even wrote, “Where is your God?”  This was not random—it was hate.

Hatred of God.

Hatred of the Jewish people.

Hatred of Christians and Christ Himself.

And the victims?  Children and adults gathered in a church for prayer.

Just as there is a God in Heaven who loves us, there is also a devil destined for hell who hates us, and he hates everything God loves.  And we know God loves His people.  He loves the Jewish people.  He loves His church.  And He especially loves children.

Remember how little ones were drawn to Jesus?  He said “Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”

I believe those precious 8- and 10-year-olds that were killed are now safely in the arms of Jesus in Heaven.

But here on earth, we still face the reality of evil.

Some pundits—and even the mayor—struggled with what to call it.  But the truth is simple: It was an act of evil.  The mayor remarked, “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now—these kids were literally praying.”  Another pundit posted on X, “Praying is the problem, not the solution.”

Yet the truth is, prayer is exactly what we need.

Prayer for the two families who lost loved ones.  Prayer for the nineteen still in the hospital.  Prayer that “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” will surround the grieving in this critical hour.

And in response to the shooter’s twisted question, “Where is your God?”—the answer is clear: God is with the suffering.

As Scripture declares: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Evil struck in a place of worship.  But even in the darkest hour, God is near to the brokenhearted.

Franklin Graham also had something to say:

To the Democratic Mayor of Minneapolis and the other socialist left who have criticized calling for prayer in the aftermath of the tragic school shooting—your words do not change or diminish the power and importance of prayer.  Because someone calls for prayer doesn’t mean that bad things aren’t going to happen or that the emergency isn’t going to disappear, we all know that.  But prayer is our opportunity to communicate directly with the God of Heaven and take our petitions to Him.  God does see, God does hear, and God can intervene.  The Bible says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

What a gift this is!  The Bible tells us that Jesus Himself prayed fervently when He was facing death on the cross.  In the case of these students who were shot and killed while praying, God can give comfort and peace to the families who have been devastated.  The god of this age is Satan—he is the one who wants to steal, kill, and destroy.  He is the author of all lies and the turmoil and violence that ensues—like this senseless shooting.

The Bible teaches that one day Jesus Christ will return and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.  He will wipe away every tear, and peace will come upon this world, because He is the Prince of Peace—He is the embodiment of peace, truth, and righteousness.  He will judge those who are alive and those who are dead.  Yes, we pray, and I will continue to encourage people to pray. 

Satan would like nothing better than to thwart the most vital tool God has given us—prayer.

Mayor Frey, I hope that you will come to know the price that was paid for your sins and that you will understand the value of prayer in your own life.

An unknown source posted these statements as well:

No truer thing could be said about our nation right now than this:  we need prayer.  Those who criticize prayer could not be more mistaken.

Yes, it is heartbreaking that children were praying when they were shot in the Church in Minneapolis.  Yet let us remember that Christ Himself prayed as He was crucified, Stephen prayed as he was martyred, and countless other courageous Christians lifted their voices to God in their final moments of life.

America desperately needs a spiritual awakening.  And God has given us the template to follow in

2 Chronicles 7:14:

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”