Since the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, last Wednesday, there have been a lot of hot takes about what should have been done or what can be done going forward.

This is a natural response to such an evil event that is sickening to think about.

Yet one of the reactions that I have seen over and over again is that saying “Thoughts and Prayers” to the victims and their families is no longer is accepted and plain useless.

I’m wondering why.

Caleb Howe touched on this last week with his post Your Thoughts And Prayers Matter. Offer Them, Mean It, Let No One Deter You.

On Saturday, one of the students from the High School, Emma Gonzalez said this at a rally for the community as reported in People Magazine

“Every single person up here today, all these people should be home grieving,”  “But instead we are up here standing together because if all our government and President can do is send thoughts and prayers, then it’s time for victims to be the change that we need to see.”

I understand the need to do something right now, but why are we dismissing people offering condolences and healing through prayer?

I would suggest at the rally that is planned for March 24th ” March For Our Lives” that they start out with a prayer for guidance.  Doing something for the sake of doing something has never led to a good result. Possibly a prayer for guidance might help start this rally out on a positive note.

As we all witnessed last Wednesday in Parkland, evil exists in this world.

Asking for God’s guidance in combatting such evil is the best way to start a national conversation on how to move forward.