On Prayer and Guns
To the Editor:
There has been much in the news about the “teenage Minnesota church school shooter” identified as Robin Westman.
On Aug. 27, 2025, CNN reported “there have been 44 school shootings in the US this year. Of the 44 shootings in 2025, 22 shootings have been reported on K-12 campuses and 22 on university and college campuses.”
It seems Robin was a confused teenager suffering from gender dysphoria that either went unnoticed or ignored at the school and condoned by his parent.
I question if his acting out was the result of physical and mental immaturity – along with all the mixed messages from the society around him.
Robin began questioning his body and purpose in his early teens according to reports. Research has suggested that “while the exact age of brain maturity varies, most research indicates that the brain is largely mature by the midto- late 20s.”
Maybe he chose the gun as a solution because he knew it would result in an immediate and finite response.
Reactions to this scenario have been wide ranging.
The most challenging reaction is the attack on prayer.
Each new vehicle and appliance come with an owner’s manual. When your vehicle breaks down, you may consult that manual or call for help. You want a qualified repair expert. The Bible is like an owner’s manual for humanity. The Bible tells us we were created, and the Creator knew us in “our mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139) Christians can go to the Creator in prayer with questions, for advice, for comfort.
The Bible gives many examples and instructions for living. It’s a syllabus for learning about humanity, how to develop a relationship with the Creator, and how to address the problems of civilization. Romans 1:20 tells us “Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature— have been seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (NIV) Sadly, Robin was not taught, did not understand, or chose to ignore his Creator’s design of his body and the purpose for his life. His challenges were internal and confused by external influences and/or influencers who chose to reject Romans 1:21-25.
There continues to be confusion and disagreements about creating an external human solution to avoid another similar incident. Several Democrats are renewing calls for gun control.
Guns are not the problem. Guns are inanimate objects acted upon by people. How the person with the gun intends to use it is the issue. Too many confused, frustrated, angry people think using guns is the answer to their problems.
I believe there is great power in prayer for instruction and comfort. I believe the Bible is authoritative and I believe Proverbs 1:7: “Respect for the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
The lyrics of a song I heard on the radio inspired me to respond to those confused like Robin and those looking for a way to avoid another incident: “…when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan, in the presence of the King, bow the knee.”
Cindy Rodibaugh Flatonia