In the Wake of Tragedy: Remembering Charlie Kirk and the Urgent Call to Repentance & Prayer

As we grapple with the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk on this somber day in 2025, our nation mourns the loss of a true patriot and man of faith. Charlie, the founder of Turning Point USA, was a devout believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, a dedicated family man, and a tireless political activist who fought relentlessly for conservative values rooted in biblical truth. His life was a testament to standing boldly for freedom, family, and faith in an increasingly hostile world. Yet, in the midst of this heartbreak, I see a divine wake-up call for America—a reminder of our deepening spiritual crisis and the powers at work behind it.

Our nation is in undeniable decline. We’ve turned our backs on the foundational principles that once made us strong: a reverence for God, moral integrity, and the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord. Instead, we’ve embraced secularism, moral relativism, and outright rebellion against divine authority. This rejection of Christ has opened the door to darkness, allowing sin to flourish and giving the enemy a foothold in our culture, institutions, and even our daily lives. As Ephesians 4:27 warns, we must not “give place to the devil” through our transgressions, yet that’s precisely what we’ve done as a society—inviting chaos, division, and violence.

The Book of Revelation in the New King James Version paints a vivid picture of this spiritual battle and the nature of Satan, the ultimate deceiver. In Revelation 12:9, we read: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Here, Satan is depicted as the ancient serpent who misleads humanity, cast down to earth where he wages war against God’s people. Later, in Revelation 20:2, it describes how he will be bound: “He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” And ultimately, his fate is sealed in Revelation 20:10: “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” These verses reveal Satan not as a myth, but as a real adversary who deceives nations, sows discord, and opposes all that is holy. In our current state, America’s sins— from widespread immorality to the erosion of religious freedoms—have amplified his influence, leading to tragedies like the one we’ve just witnessed.

But there is hope, and it begins with us. The Bible calls us to a spirit-filled life, one empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in righteousness and resist the darkness. This requires humility, repentance, and a return to fervent prayer. As 2 Chronicles 7:14 promises, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Prayer isn’t a passive act; it’s a powerful weapon against the forces of evil. A spirit-filled life means yielding to God’s guidance daily, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and lead us in truth. And repentance? It’s the key to closing the doors we’ve opened to darkness—turning away from our national and personal sins, seeking forgiveness, and recommitting to Christ’s ways.

Reflecting on this, I can’t help but think back 50 years to 1975, when I had the privilege of being involved in the “If My People” musical, a powerful production by Jimmy and Carol Owens, narrated by Pat Boone.  It was a musical experience in worship and intercession prayer, inspired directly by II Chronicles 7:14, calling believers to humble prayer for national healing.   Even then, amid the cultural upheavals of the 1970s, we sensed the need for revival. Performing in that production deepened my conviction that God responds to the cries of His people, and it’s a message more relevant today than ever.

Charlie Kirk’s death is a stark reminder that the battle is spiritual, not just political. Let us honor his legacy by heeding this call: Repent, pray without ceasing, and live spirit-filled lives that shine light into the darkness. Only then can we hope to see our nation restored, deception exposed, and Satan’s influence diminished. May God have mercy on America, and may we, as His people, rise to the occasion.

Here’s an excerpt from the “If My People Musical