It will take time to process the violent events of the past week—the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the cold-blooded murder of Iryna Zarutska. These tragedies are not isolated. Closer to home, Chicago has already recorded more than 310 homicides this year, including twenty-seven children whose lives were cut short before they had a chance to grow up. It is unfathomable that our elected officials refuse federal help to stem the violence.

Looking back not only at these recent days but at the past several months and years, we watch in dismay as chaos erupts in our streets. Still, the riots and unrest across our nation are not the root problem; they are symptoms of something deeper. That’s why spiritual eyesight is crucial. Only by looking through the lens of Scripture can we understand how we arrived at this moment.

Consider the Congressional baseball shooting in 2017, the two assassination attempts on President Donald Trump, the firebombing of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home, the assassination of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, the murders of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and the brazen killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on the streets of New York. Add to that the torching of New Mexico’s GOP headquarters, arson at Tesla dealerships, and the 180 rounds of gunfire at CDC headquarters in Atlanta that claimed the life of a police officer.

How can we not recall the warning in Galatians 6:7–8: “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” America has been sowing seeds of anger and violence for decades. What is abortion if not the most grotesque form of violence? Meanwhile, we’ve desensitized a generation by glorifying brutality in movies, music, and video games. We have legalized and promoted high-potency marijuana while flooding the culture with “mental health” pharmaceuticals—all while ignoring the consequences on hearts and minds.

As believers, we must root ourselves and our children in God’s Word so that we see our world through a biblical lens. Our thoughts must be shaped by God’s point of view than by political commentary, worldly philosophies and fleshly emotions. Then, when we enter the public square, our speech will be better equipped to offer godly wisdom that builds up and which will bless others. (Ephesians 4:29)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we must humble ourselves in prayer and first examine our own hearts and attitudes. Once we’ve done that, we can plead with the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness on our state and nation. Only by His grace can we overcome evil with good. We must be a people who pray without ceasing—for our families, for our church leaders, for those in authority—trusting that God alone can heal our land.

We invite you to join us as we lift in prayer the following items, starting with prayers of thanksgiving.

Please Pray:

• Praise our holy, holy, holy God for His goodness, patience, love, grace and mercy. (1 John 1:5; Revelation 5:9)

• Praise God for His Word which illuminates the narrow way. (John 8:12; Psalm 36:9; 1 John 1:5)

• Turn our hearts to You so that we walk in righteousness. (Proverbs 14:34)

• Acknowledge thank God for His sovereignty over all of creation. (Psalm 113:4; 67:2)

• Thank You, Lord, that all authority is subject to You. (Psalm 22:28; Job 12:23-25)

• Guide and direct our political officials. (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Daniel 2:20-21; Proverbs 11:14)

• Pray for God to bless us as a nation. May He give us the desire for unity and peace, and love mercy. (Psalm 67:1-5; 133:1-3)

• Pray that the Spirit will remind us to be a blessing to others. (Phil 2:3-4; Hebrews 10:24; Proverbs 11:25)

• Pray for America…that it would respond properly to the violent Left.
  • Pray for courage to continue to speak up.
  • Pray for protection for those who do speak up.
  • Pray for ears to hear and hearts to understand those with the courage to speak up.

• Pray that recent events in our culture will pushes more people to seek God. (Hebrews 11:6; Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 29:13; Isaiah 55:6)

• Prayer for Erika Kirk that she would have the wisdom and strength to navigate being a single parent.

• Prayer for the two little Kirk children, that the Lord would be a father to the fatherless for them. Pray that grandparents are able to step in to assist and love on them all.

• Pray that Tyler Robinson would repent of his sin and turn to Christ for forgiveness—even for the grievous act of assassinating Charlie Kirk.

• Prayer for the family of Iryna Zarutska as they deal with their grief of her murder.

• Please pray that efforts to indoctrinate children in government schools will fail and that local school boards and administrators will reject the woke agenda for their students in kindergarten through 12th grade;

• Please pray that assisted suicide legislation would not gain traction in the Illinois Senate, but will continue to fall short of the votes needed to pass this session;

• Please pray that God will work in the hearts of our local officials, including county board members, local mayors, city council members, and members of library and school boards. (Proverbs 21:1);

• Please pray that God will use the upcoming IFI Annual Banquet with Riley Gaines to raise much-needed support and revenue so that we can continue our work and ministry – for the glory of the King of kings.

• Pray for the surrender of Hamas and the release of hostages.

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6-8)

• Pray for the safety of Christians in parts of Africa and the middle east who are being murdered for their faith.