Lead With Prayer and Quiet

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

The news about Charlie Kirk is a few hours old now.  We know virtually nothing save that he was shot and is dead.  And yet, media is full of speculation, spin, nonsense and in a few instances, remembrances and obituaries.  And I just want them to shut up.  My instincts in times like this is to say nothing, basically because all there is to do is to mourn and pray.  But clearly given the cacophony that has arisen in these last few hours, no one knows how to to that, so this post is my likely vain attempt to lead us through it.

Turn it off – TV, radio, internet – turn it off.

Assume the attitude and posture of prayer – whatever manner and tradition works for you.  Address God as you see fit, directly or through an intercessor if you are of such traditions.

Allow yourself to feel your pain, your hurt and your fear – and tell God about them.  Then ask God to remove them, at least temporarily so that you can focus on others.

Ask God to receive Kirk into His ultimate grace.

Ask God to be with and comfort Kirk’s family and loved ones.

Ask God for justice regarding the shooter.  Ask God to aid those seeking the shooter.  Ask God to go to work on the soul of the shooter.

Ask God to heal this nation from all the ailments it suffers that can and have lead to this horrific moment. Then ask again.

A father once sought out Jesus to ask for help with his ill son.  Jesus responded:

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”

Confess your unbelief and the nations corporate unbelief – ask God to provide belief where we lack it,

Then be quiet – listen for what God is trying to tell you, listen for what God is trying to tell us.  Speak to others not with words, but with quietude.  Make room for God to speak and to act.

ADDENDUM (an hour or so later):  Whatever you do – ignore the House of Representatives – both sides.  All they accomplished this evening was to make matters worse.