“Prayer doesn’t go far enough. It doesn’t fix these issues. Our prayers can’t bring back those we’ve lost. Thoughts and prayers aren’t sufficient.”
This was a striking response from former White House press secretary Jen Psaki following a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
Prayers don’t go far enough. Prayer won’t stop school shootings. Parents shouldn’t feel safe sending their kids to school based on prayer alone. Thoughts and prayers are insufficient.
– Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) August 27, 2025
The city’s progressive mayor, Jacob Frey, echoed these sentiments.
“We shouldn’t frame this as just about thoughts and prayers!” he exclaimed to reporters. “These kids were literally praying.”
“I shouldn’t frame this as simply thoughts and prayers! These kids were actually praying,” said Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/rjrwkotqnd
– Daily Caller (@dailycaller) August 27, 2025
He later emphasized, “Thinking and praying are valuable, but we can’t stop there. We must discuss what’s right, but more importantly, we need to take action.”
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. But they’re not enough. It’s vital we talk about what’s right, but even more crucial is taking action. pic.twitter.com/ryuw607w7n
– Jacob Frey (@jacob_frey) August 28, 2025
On Thursday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison reiterated this theme, calling for a “national ban on assault rifles.”
“Thoughts and prayers have never been enough,” he stated. “We need to act to prevent this tragedy from recurring.”
Thoughts and prayers have never been sufficient. It’s time to consider a nationwide ban on assault rifles. Action is necessary to stop this recurring tragedy. pic.twitter.com/5fyfx9fsad
– Keith Ellison (@keithellison) August 29, 2025
Prayer is insufficient. This has become a common refrain from many liberals and Democrats following tragic mass shootings. It’s essentially a call for action, a push for stricter gun control.
But there’s something deeper at play here. It’s almost as if this call itself operates as a kind of prayer.
For many on the left, there’s a sense of reverence towards government, as if it holds the power to enact change, to solve societal issues. Although it’s clear the government has limitations, there remains a desire for a more progressive future, reminiscent of how some may await a spiritual savior.
Similar to a prayer to a higher power, Democrats often recite, this isn’t enough—hoping it will foster meaningful change. Maybe it’s about finding solace among like-minded individuals, sharing these hopes rather than placing them in a divine entity.
Does that resonate?
For those on the left, it’s less about a higher power and more about hoping for transformative action from the government.
