Charlie Kirk

Undoubtedly, you have heard the news. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University. My phone immediately began ringing with text messages, phone calls, and news notifications.

In recent years, Mr. Kirk has become all but a household name among conservatives and evangelicals alike in the United States. Outspoken for the freedom of speech and debating from a Christ-Centered worldview, Kirk rose among his peers earning a reputation of faithfulness in the public square. He stood for the unborn, he defended human liberties for all, and continually shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the masses. While I never knew him personally, I admire his resilience to stand upon his beliefs in the public square.

“But how could such a thing like this happen?” I was asked by my wife upon returning home Wednesday night. The answer I told her, is terrifyingly simple. “Evil runs rampant in this world,” I replied. Certainly, the public assassination of Kirk is nothing less than pure evil. As Christ-followers, we uphold the dignity and sanctity of human life for every man, woman, and child because we were all created in the image and likeness of our creator. This public assassination is intolerable and should cause us all to mourn the state of the present human condition.

Yet how are Christians to respond to a tragedy such as this?
Is Christ still King? And are we able to still find hope when Christians are killed?

The answer to the above is “absolutely yes!”

I have outlined my response to these questions via 5 ways Christians can pray in light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

1. Pray for the Kirk family.

Mr. Kirk leaves behind a widowed wife and two wonderful young children who will grow up without their father. Pray that the Lord surrounds this family with faithful brothers and sisters in Christ that will sacrificially love on them. Pray that they experience God’s lovingkindness through His people unlike they ever have before. Pray that God uses others to strengthen them in their faith, empowering them all the more to find joy in their creator and by doing so to model for the watching world the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray specifically Philippians 4:7 over them: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [1]

2. Pray for Justice to be done.  

Psalm 89:14 reads:

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” [2]

Justice is wrapped up in the character of God. Pray that the perpetrator(s) behind this act is brought to justice in this life. Pray that he is quickly apprehended by authorities and delivered a just penalty for his actions. After all, God has installed governments for this very purpose.[3]
 
Furthermore, the Bible teaches that on the Day of the Lord’s return, He will serve justice upon every evil action ever performed. At the return of Christ, no evildoer will escape their divine and due judgment before their creator. Christian, find comfort in knowing that when you pray for God’s Justice upon this earth, in time, true justice will be served.

3. Pray for peace in our country.   

1 Timothy 2 instructs us to pray for “all men” so that we may lead “a peaceful and quiet life.”[4] Our God is a God of Peace. However, I need not convince you that worldview divides are growing in this country. Pray for peace through the aftermath of this event. Then when you are done praying for peace, pray for peace again.

We are in a volatile time. Pray that God may even use you to point others to peace.

4. Pray for the Gospel to spread.   

The chief aim of God’s people is to worship Him and put His Glorious Gospel on display to all nations.

We must not grow weary during times of trouble. On the contrary, we must grow faithful! God does His best work when we depend upon Him most. And the Bible is full of countless stories of God using tragedy to spread the good news of the Gospel. Pray that the Church would be faithful all the more to the task of verbally proclaiming the Gospel. Pray that God would use this time to open the hearts of those who oppose Him (remember, once also were you) to hear the Gospel, and receive it through repentance and faith.[5]

5. Pray for the Confidence of the Church. 

Christ is King.
He reigns yesterday, today, and forever.
The end is written.
Jesus wins.

There is a 0% chance that Jesus will not one day return and redeem all things. All evil will be judged and cast out for eternity. Those who have salvation in Jesus by His Grace and through their faith will be saved from this sinful world and spend their eternity in His Glorious Presence where violence will never again creep its head.

The very last words recorded in the Bible proclaim:

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. [6]

Pray that Christians all over the world live with this confidence. How should we respond when tragedy strikes? With all faith and confidence in Christ our King.  

Oh Come, Lord Jesus!