An ad titled 'Thoughts & Prayers' advocating stricter gun control is causing a stir with its controversial message.
The “Thoughts & Prayers” ad, placed by Mothers Against Greg Abbott PAC, in partnership with Mothers for Democracy, was intended to highlight the issue of gun violence. It was released on December 14, 2024 – the 11th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left 26 women and children dead.
The term “thoughts and prayers” is a common phrase often used to convey sympathy or condolences, especially in response to a mass shooting – but the gun control lobby believes such sentiments are just empty words and not action to make things safer to make.
During the one-minute clip, a young girl is seen sitting at the edge of a pool and reaching for a flamingo float before accidentally falling into the water.
A woman quickly runs to the pool, but instead of jumping in to save the child, she falls to her knees, clasps her hands and begins to pray, “Please God, save her.” Do something. Save her.'
An ad calling for stricter gun control, titled 'Thoughts & Prayers', is causing a stir with its controversial message
During the one-minute clip, a young girl is seen sitting at the edge of a pool and reaching for a flamingo float before accidentally falling into the water.
As the lifeless child floats in the background, several individuals approach the woman to express their condolences, such as, “My thoughts and prayers are with you.”
Driving the point home, another scene sees a couple enjoying drinks in the same pool, while a neighbor continues to mow his lawn shouting, “thoughts and prayers.” No one takes any action to save the drowning girl.
The ad notes, “The leading cause of death among children in the United States is not drowning, car wrecks, or cancer. The #1 cause of death among children in the US is gun violence. Thoughts and prayers are meaningless if you can act.”
The clip was shared on
In response to the powerful video, Mothers for Democracy released a statement, highlighting how the video “exposes the hypocrisy of those offering 'thoughts and prayers' as they continue with their lives as if nothing happened.” They would rather express 'thoughts and prayers' than take action to save children's lives.”
Online, the video seemed to provoke some sharp reactions.
The video appeared to generate sharp criticism on social media
'18 year olds are not children. Guns are not the biggest killer of children. Guns don't kill people. This video is disgusting. You scammers are horrible,” one X user wrote.
“This ad ultimately mocks God and your faith in God. There is a special place for them,” wrote Will Johnson.
“This makes no sense but divides brands and blames Christians. Hateful Should be ashamed, make a legal or political argument instead of using fear and blame while mocking religion,” argued a social media user.
“It's in the constitution and it won't change. First solve the cause of the violence. That would make more sense,” another added.
'Pure nonsense! The number 1 cause of death among children in the United States is abortion. There I said it. If you don't understand… pray for wisdom,” said another unconvinced opinion.
Texas already has a strong gun culture with some of the least restrictive gun control laws in the country compared to some other states.
This is not the first time the term “thoughts and prayers” has been criticized.
The ad was released Thursday, the 11th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left 26 women and children dead. Pictured is Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which was later demolished after the massacre
A gunman took out 21 at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas in 2022. He had legally purchased the firearm he used days earlier
Earlier this year, Rep. Keith Self, a Republican from Texas, on the left, expresses his belief in the power of prayer, saying that those who doubt its effectiveness do not believe in an all-powerful God.
Earlier this year, a Republican congressman from Texas questioned the faith of critics who said prayer is not enough after the mass shooting in his state claimed eight lives, including children.
Representative Keith Self suggested that God is in complete control of our lives, and that people who do not believe in the power of prayer after a mass shooting are not true believers.
Self's comments came hours after a gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, a small suburb north of Dallas, killing eight people, including children as young as five.
The shooting prompted the usual call for “thoughts and prayers” for those affected, but during an interview on CNN, Rep. Self, who represents Texas' third congressional district that includes Allen, submitted that such sentiments are no longer enough.
“You know, Congressman, that's a common refrain after mass shootings, but many people argue that prayers aren't enough. Prayers cannot prevent the next mass shooting. What is your response to that criticism?' the anchor asked on CNN.
But the congressman seemed to have a prepared response
Video footage and eyewitness accounts give some resemblance to the horror shoppers faced after a shooting at a mall in Allen, Texas in May this year
“These are people who do not believe in an all-powerful God who has absolute control over our lives.”
'I am a christian. I believe so,” Self said confidently. “We have people with mental health that we're not taking care of.”
Self suggested that prayers did indeed have their place after violence and continued to offer his own.
'We have to focus on the families. Prayers are important. “Prayer is powerful in the lives of people who are now devastated,” he said.
Self said he did not want to make a political issue out of the tragedy, but noted that there was violence in “major (Democratic) cities” after being asked if he was concerned about the increase in violent incidents in the US.
Congressman Self gave the example of the city of Chicago seeing a spike in crime in 2022, while Allen, Texas, where the shooting occurred, was a “very safe area” by his definition.