Twenty-four years ago today, we woke up to the evil of the mass murder of thousands of our fellow countrymen on 9/11/2001. Yesterday, we saw the murder of a young man on a college campus.  In the last few weeks, we learned of the brutal murder of a young woman on a train and heard of scores of shootings and murders in our cities. I am sure that beyond this, there have been countless other murders and acts of violence in our land that we have not heard of, nor that have made the pages of our news outlets. Our hearts break.  I can only ponder how God’s heart breaks.  He hates murder and bloodshed. Each one, known and unknown, is a unique soul created in His image whom he loves.  

How are we to respond as believers in Jesus?  We are specifically told to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, do good to those who hate us.  We need to be people of love to all, praying for God’s work in people’s lives to bring them to truth, being His hands and feet to a very broken world, a nation in which we live.  I believe we should also rededicate ourselves to our mission, which is living Jesus with our lives and sharing Jesus with our words.  The reality is that for those who have died, both known and unknown, the only thing that really matters now for them is, did they know Jesus?  I understand that Charlie Kirk was very involved in politics, which you may or may not agree with. However, what I personally knew most about him by following him on X was that he was an outspoken follower of Jesus, who was committed to proclaiming the truth of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  So, though I mourn for his wife, kids, and family, I rejoice that he is with his Lord.  The others mentioned above, I don’t know if they knew Jesus, and that brings me deep sorrow.  

May we pray for our nation to come to a place of repentance towards Jesus for salvation. Oh, that He would send a revival to our land! Let us pray for those family and friends who are having to walk, and still, after many years, are having to walk through the grief of loss.  Let’s pray for those who commit such horrendous acts of violence that the Holy Spirit would reach them in the depths of their sin and draw them to Jesus as He has done with us. 

Steve Engram
Vice President, Venture Church Network