Last Tuesday, the unthinkable happened in Uvalde, Texas. Two days before the end of the school year, a gunman entered Robb Elementary and murdered 19 students and two teachers. All the victims, whose names are listed below, were found in the same fourth-grade classroom.
Twenty-one lives cut short by the evil actions of a young man who first shot his grandmother before going to the school. I can’t help but wonder what these children would have accomplished in their lifetimes. Maybe one would have found a cure for cancer. Maybe one would have added beauty to the world with art. Maybe one would have become President of the United States.
Am I angry about this tragedy? Yes.
Am I sad? Definitely.
Am I at a loss to even comprehend what happened about 80 or so miles from where I live? Of course.
Do I know what it’s like to be a public-school teacher and be concerned for the safety of my students? Yes.
Have I been a parent of a child whose school went on lockdown because a student brought guns to school? Yes, and it was one of the worst days of my life. A rookie teacher in my daughter’s class took up all the students’ cell phones and I couldn’t reach her to find out if she was safe.
Have I taught fourth grade students? Yes, I teach an online spelling bee preparation class for students who are aged 8 to 11.
Am I hopeful that another tragedy like this can be prevented? Yes.
Do I have a definitive solution? No.
Last Tuesday, I wrote a blog as the tragedy was unfolding and I asked others to join with me in praying for the victims and their families. I was taken aback at one of the comments I received: “Don’t pray.”
“Don’t pray”? To a Christian, that’s like saying “Don’t breathe.” In this space, I’m not going to get into a debate about gun ownership, school policy, police response to the shooting, mental illness, or what social media is saying. Why? Because debate about those topics won’t bring back the 21 victims in Uvalde. (Actually, 22 victims if you count the husband of one of the teachers who died of a heart attack after placing flowers at her makeshift memorial. His family says he died of grief.) There will, however, be a more appropriate time to debate those topics in the days ahead which will hopefully prevent another school shooting.
Everyone processes things differently and the past couple of years have been hard. Really hard. And I think now, more than ever, we all need to be especially kind to one another, even if we disagree.
And I will continue to pray.
I’ll pray for the families whose children and mothers will never come home again. I’ll pray for peace and comfort and solace. I’ll pray that evil will never again darken the hallways of schools. I’ll pray for wisdom for the leaders of our state and nation. I’ll pray for our nation to return to God. I’ll pray for all the children at Robb Elementary who are now fearful to return to school. I’ll pray for the family of the gunman. And, yes, I’ll pray for the person who told me not to pray.
Most importantly, though, I’ll pray always for guidance and comfort from God’s inspired word.
In memory of the 21 victims in the Uvalde tragedy, here are at least 21 times the Bible talks about prayer. (The names and ages of the victims were taken from published reports, including the Uvalde Leader News.)
Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, age 10
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Alithia Haven Ramirez, age 10
Mark 11:24
“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Amerie Jo Garza, age 10
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.”
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, age 10
Matthew 6:6
“But when you pray, go into your room, and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Eliahana Cruz Torres, age 10
Romans 8:26
“Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Eliahna “Ellie” Garcia, age 9
James 5:16
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Mrs. Eva Mireles, teacher
Luke 11:9
“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Mrs. Irma Garcia, teacher
Ephesians 6:18
“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…”
Jackie Cazares, age 10
I Timothy 2:1-4
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Jailah Nicole Silguero, age 10
Colossians 4:2
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, age 10
Luke 18:1
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
Jose Manuel Flores, Jr., age 10
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Layla Salazar, age 10
Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Makenna Lee Elrod, age 10
James 5: 13-15
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, age 10
Hebrews 4:16
“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.”
Maranda Gail Mathis, age 11
Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo, age 10
Psalm 145:18
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Rojelio Torres, age 10
Proverbs 15:29
“The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”
Tess Marie Mata, age 10
Psalm 141:2
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”
Uziyah Garcia, age 9
I Peter 3:12
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Xavier Lopez, age 10