The Truth About Thoughts and Prayers
Every tragedy revives the same debate: “thoughts and prayers aren’t enough.” But God’s Word says prayer has always been enough. Here’s why we need to wake up and believe it again.
There’s a phrase that always circulates when tragedy strikes: “thoughts and prayers aren’t enough.” Usually it’s said as a call for government action or new policies.
I’ll be honest, sometimes I’ve agreed. My heart has carried deep grief, especially around mass shootings. How many innocent children’s lives have ended? There’s only so much sorrow a person can bear. So many have died. So many continue to die. It’s heartbreaking. It’s terrifying.
Part of my heart has been suspended in grief. So when I hear “thoughts and prayers mean nothing,” it lands as hopeless. Because for an average mom like me, all I have is thoughts and prayers.
Then came the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Like many others, I was shaken. I didn’t ask to see it, but scrolling through Instagram, I witnessed his final moments. It traumatized me. I cried. I grieved. I was in disbelief. He was literally here one moment, and gone the next.
And in that moment, I felt the sovereignty of God.
I felt how fleeting life is.
I remembered Jesus’ words: “Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
More than that, I felt the nearness of Heaven. Maybe it was the collective grief in the atmosphere. Maybe it was hearing others say he was now in the arms of Jesus. Whatever it was, my heart changed.
I realized eternity is greater. Heaven is greater. His presence is greater. And maybe I’m just 1% less afraid of death than I was before September 10th, because I know God holds both my life and my eternity in His hands.
Before that day, I was anxious about death. Now, I find myself glorifying God more. I see how much bigger He is.
And it made me wonder: when people say “thoughts and prayers aren’t enough,” what do they really mean?
Because in the Bible, prayer was enough. Again and again, prayer changed lives, saved nations, healed bodies, and broke chains. How many times did God’s anger burn against a nation, but the prayers of a few righteous men changed His mind? God hasn’t changed. So maybe the problem isn’t Him. Maybe it’s us.
You can’t say “thoughts and prayers aren’t enough” while stripping faith out of public life, silencing prayer in schools, and mocking those who fast and pray. You can’t dismiss prayer when you’ve never opened your Bible, never fasted, never even learned how to pray.
And Christians, how many of us actually pray when disaster strikes? Or do we rush to Instagram comments, quick to correct, critique, and condemn? Imagine the words, “that man doesn’t deserve my grief, that’s his problem,” coming out of a Christian’s mouth. Do you even know Jesus?
The Bible says, “Rend your hearts.” In ancient times, people ripped their clothes, sat in ashes, and cried out to God. And God said: don’t just rip your garments, rip your heart. Humble yourself. Die to your flesh. Stop thinking Christianity owes you something. This is a spiritual war.
This past week, the veil between Heaven and earth was thin. When that happens, those are the moments to fast, pray and sit in His presence. People were stirred back to faith. Some walked into church for the first time. Many were moved to stop compromising and give their lives back to God. And yet, we were busy fighting online. Some pulpits chose to use this moment to call out Charlie Kirk’s policies. To question why the Vice President would attend his funeral.
Do you not see it? God opened a door. Heaven brushed earth. And you were so busy posturing and pandering, you missed it.
There were so many times I wanted to shout: YOU’RE FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THING! God is sovereign. Wake up.
If you don’t believe in prayer…
If your hope is in the world instead of the Word…
If your faith is being spoon-fed through TikTok and YouTube sermons that make you feel good but never call you to repent…
If you refuse to be planted in a local church because it’s messy, imperfect, or uncomfortable…
Then it’s time to get serious.
Because thoughts and prayers have always been enough.
God hasn’t changed.
We have.
So what are you going to do about it?