“Scary.”
That’s how one of the Columbine survivors framed face-off some of the anti-theater rhetoric from politicians and public figures after the horrifying shootings at the Announcement Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
Evan Todd, who was shot dead and wounded in a 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, said many people who are sick about their thoughts and prayers do not understand the importance of invitations.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Todd said in response to condemning his thoughts and prayers. “I think (it’s) sleazy. I think it reveals the people doing it.”
Todd said his own story is evidence of how powerful prayer is in the wake of the tragedy. He was in the library on April 20, 1999. Most of the massacres took place there. Two of his companions killed 12 students and one teacher, and eventually turned the guns themselves.
“I have my own story and I survived through Columbine,” he said. “I know what prayers, thoughts and prayers have done in my life. I have seen miracles at work. I have seen prayers since the day they were answered.”
Todd said he found immeasurable comfort in the wake of the shooting, knowing that so many people were sending thoughts and prayers.
“I could feel it in my soul,” he said. “It was…excited and encouraged….I just saw the evil most and saw death, but I stared at the face, but I realized that I could still see the humanity and love that was in the world.”
He continued, “It’s really a good part of the healing process and made me realize… not everything is bad.”
Beyond that, Todd has come to another perception over the years. Prayer is a selfless act of spending time on others.
“It’s amazing that (it’s amazing) someone can take the time out of the day and appeal to the creator of the universe on your behalf,” he said. “And for me, it was so empowering and motivated me so many times.”
Todd finds himself searching for answers in the wake of the shooting, and is approaching his Christian faith. Today he often talks about biblical truths and morals.
Beyond the personal benefits of prayer, survivors also expressed concern about the message politicians send when making declarations that they believe are weakening their thinking and prayer.
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“What was just revealed to me in this last and horrifying tragedy was basically what these politicians were saying… “Stop it aside, God, we’ll deal with it… we’ll handle it from here.”
Todd believes that this idea of pushing God away and supposing that humans have all the answers has been what landed America in crisis to begin with.
“In modern times, in the Bible, whenever someone starts to rely on their understanding and their way of doing things, evil and terrifying things continue,” he said. “Now is now more than ever, it’s time to look to God, pray and ask for things.”
Todd assumed that some politicians would take such a problematic attitude in prayer to push what they believe is a political message. He concluded his conversation with sincere gratitude to those who looked to God on his behalf after facing something inconceivable.
“I would like to thank everyone who sent my thoughts and prayers,” Todd said. “It meant the world.”
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