The prophet Isaiah assures us that “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever,” and that “[God’s] people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:17, 18).

How can we experience God’s great promise today with regard to the safety of children at school? This is especially pertinent in light of these statistics: There have been 114 shootings at schools in the United States from early 2018 to mid-April 2022 in which at least one person was killed or injured; nearly half have occurred since early 2021. How can we pray effectively to realize God’s protection in the face of such destructive and unnatural behavior? 

The Bible says that knowing God is what brings peace and goodness into our lives. So, effective prayer begins with an understanding of God’s true nature. The Christian Science textbook gives this definition of God: “The great I am ; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 587).