Honoring Charlie Kirk
Today’s post is going to be a little different. As you probably know by now, yesterday, conservative leader Charlie Kirk was killed by an assassin’s bullet on the Utah Valley College Campus. Like many of you, I gave much of my afternoon and evening to praying for Charlie Kirk and his family. Then my friend, Gene Bailey, contacted me asking if I could be on a special edition of Flashpoint honoring Charlie’s life. I feel that for today, I want to continue the focus on Charlie, and pray for his family and our nation.
Charlie was an amazing young man, only 31 years of age. Yet, because of the voice God gave him, he spoke to 100,000,000 young people on social media every month. It was probably Charlie’s influence that turned so many of the young generation toward Donald Trump in the recent presidential election. It is no exaggeration to say that because of this, he helped change and shape the course of America’s political history today.
Before it was announced that Charlie did not survive the shooting, I had a sense that this would be the case. I prayed earnestly and fervently for his survival, but as I did, Holy Spirit kept taking me to Acts, chapter 7, which is the account of Stephen’s martyrdom. I couldn’t help but be reminded of how God had spared our president with a supernaturally motivated nod of his head. Why not Charlie? I wondered.
As I meditated on this passage while praying throughout the afternoon, the Lord began to emphasize how Stephen’s death was used to impact Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Apostle Paul. He was there watching and overseeing Stephen’s martyrdom. Paul was converted to Christ, of course, and became perhaps the most consequential believer in all of history. Through Paul, Stephen lived on. The attempt to silence Stephen’s voice only amplified it. And through the pages of Scripture, it speaks to us yet today.
God never gives satan the last word, and will not do so where Charlie Kirk is concerned. His death only poured gas on a movement, fanning the flames of revival in thousands of young people across our nation. They will pick up the torch and burn with holy fire, as they carry Charlie’s message of revival and reformation. Through this, his voice will not be silenced: his life is now a seed that will multiply.
Last evening, President Trump made some comments honoring Charlie Kirk. Here is a portion of that:
“Hello Americans, I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah. Charlie inspired millions, and tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror. Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loves so much, the United States of America. He fought for liberty, democracy, justice, and the American people. He’s a model for truth and freedom, and there’s never been anyone who was so respected by youth. Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith, and we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in heaven. Our prayers are with his wife, Erika, his young beloved children, and his entire family, whom he loved more than anything in the world. We ask God to watch over them in this terrible hour of heartache and pain. This is a dark moment for America.
“Charlie Kirk traveled the nation joyfully engaging with everyone interested in good-faith debate. His mission was to bring young people into the political process, which he did better than anybody ever; to share his love of country and to spread the simple words of common sense on campuses nationwide, championing his ideas with courage, logic, humor, and grace…
“Tonight, I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God.
“Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country. An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed because together we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come. Today, because of this heinous act, Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before, and it’s not even close. May God bless his memory, may God watch over his family, and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you.” President Donald J. Trump
Please continue to pray for Charlie’s wife Erika, his two young children, the rest of his family, as well as Turning Point USA. Though young, his life left an indelible mark on millions of people. His evangelist heart also helped bring thousands into the Kingdom of God. We are grateful for Charlie Kirk’s life.
Pray with me:
Father, we thank You for the life of Charlie Kirk. He has most certainly left his mark on America and has now become a seed that will multiply throughout our nation. We ask that You inspire thousands of young people in America to pick up the torch he carried. May Charlie, like Stephen of old, never stop preaching. Let tens of thousands of young people trumpet his message.
We pray today for his lovely family. They are hurting; the grief will be unbearable at times. You are the Great Comforter, and You can comfort even when the grief is so great. We ask for this peace and comfort for his wife, Erika, and his children. Carry them through this time, wrapping them in Your loving arms.
And we pray for our nation. Comfort the hearts of millions who are hurting and confused. Deliver us, Father, from evil leaders who seek to divide us. You tell us in Proverbs that dividing and sowing discord between brothers is an abomination to You (Proverbs 6:16-19). Heal our nation from the hatred that divides us, and please use this tragedy to do so.
All of this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.