thoughts and prayers

thoughts and prayers

A phrase often used as part of an attempt to comfort someone who has just suffered a tragic loss, as in, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you." The frequent use of the phrase or similar expressions by politicians after mass shootings in the US has increasingly been criticized by those who believe it is used to avoid pursuing tangible actions, notably changes to gun laws. You can keep your thoughts and prayers, senator—they won't give me my sister back.
See also: and, prayer, thought
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
'Thoughts and prayers' has become a national cliche in the United States.
Cliche won't end guns madnesss
Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed took to Twitter and said his thoughts and prayers are with the families.
Cricketers condemn New Zealand mosque attacks
Thoughts and prayers for the people of Christchurch, NZ during this awful tragedy.
Manny Pacquiao offers his prayers to victims of Christchurch mass shooting
All my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Rooney to Ronaldo - stars wish him well
A story on CNN six days after the shooting, for example, reported a mushrooming of Internet memes mocking promises of "thoughts and prayers." The story attributed the barrage of ridicule partly to the fact that many pledges of prayer for the victims of the shooting had been made by prominent opponents of stricter gun-control laws.
Are 'thoughts and prayers' enough? Backlash grows over pledges of support
"(https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/379689640115961856) @BarackObama "We send our thoughts and prayers to all at the Navy Yard who've been touched by this tragedy." -President Obama"
Washington Navy Yard Shooting: Celebrities React on Twitter to Tragic Incident
xxxx" Caz Wolf: "Absolutely tragic news my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Your support for the family
JONATHAN DAVIES My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Nevin Spence.
THE SPORTING WORLD PAYS TRIBUTE
YNWA Davymac: My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.
Reds send condolences
Fidelma, who worked on the Tribune for more than three years, will be presenting her thoughts and prayers as a member of the Baha' Faith.She now works as press officer for the Baha'is of Swindon and has been a regular presenter on BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought slot for the past three years.
Ex-Trib's Fidelma shares her faith
President Donald Trump has expressed his heartfelt thoughts and prayers with the seven deceased Navy sailors and their families.
Trump expresses grief with seven deceased U.S. sailors
X Tracey Jane Hawley-Kirkby My thoughts & prayers are with the family Menna Williams My thoughts and prayers are with April''s family at this very distressing time Karen Bedford Thinking of u all at this distressing time xx Chris Powell Jones Its a shame that you are not safe anywhere these days.
tweets OF THE DAY
JJ, Belfast To the Kerr family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
No one wants this - all we want is peace - DENISE, DERRY; RONAN KERR TEXTS
My thoughts and prayers will remain with you and I pray that Ken is shown mercy and released into the arms of his family.
IRAQ HOSTAGE CRISIS: WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING; Heartfelt pleas from around world
Chris O'Hagan Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your texts++
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