Tests have done in the past on the efficacy in prayer, with people who suffer debilitating medical conditions such as heart attacks.

Not only prayer did not work, when the person knew he or she was prayed for, that person generally fared worse.

Prayer did not work.

Yet, people still pray for the ill, hoping it will make them better.

Likewise, conservatives have been offering prayers for gun violence for years. I think at this point we have a sufficient body of evidence that prayer does not work in this case either.

Therefore (assuming a belief in God I don’t have):

a) God said “no” (the default position when a prayer is not answered) despite what the Bible says about prayer
b) God wants these killings

Therefore, in either case, who are Christians to claim the chutzpah to demand from God what God doesn’t want?

New Testament, Book of James Chapter 2 (KJV):

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

But I’m condemned to hell, because I at least attempt works, but have no faith.