Taylor students gathered at the pergola beside Samuel Morris Hall for a time of prayer in response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, political commentator and Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder.
Kirk, 31, died Wednesday, Sept. 10. He was slain at Utah Valley University during a stop on his American Comeback tour, the Wall Street Journal said.
Kirk was discussing mass shootings and transgenderism with a university student when he was shot around 12:20 p.m. local time. He was taken to the hospital where he passed away, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Law enforcement took Tyler Robinson, 22, into custody on Friday, Sept. 12. The Wall Street Journal reported the suspect had become increasingly political, commenting that he disliked Kirk because he believed him to be spreading hate.
Well-known for encouraging public discourse on controversial topics, Kirk was an outspoken Christian and a conservative who founded TPUSA. Turning Point is a grassroots organization that establishes chapters in high schools and colleges across the country.
TPUSA educates and empowers students to engage with the political issues of their day, according to their website.
At 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, hours after Kirk was declared dead, approximately 80 to 100 Taylor students gathered at the lighted pergola to pray.
Josiah King, a Taylor junior and one of the meeting’s organizers, described feeling shocked and confused after hearing about Kirk.
“And I really was thinking, ‘OK, I don't know how to respond to this,” King said. “‘I don't know what to say to this. I'm confused, and I know that our nation needs revival. So what else can I do but give it to God and pray for it?’”
From these thoughts, the idea for the prayer night was born. Student leaders across campus helped spread the word.
King believed the murder was a spiritual attack.
“I wanted to honestly show the devil that he doesn't have power over us, and that even though these horrible things are happening, we're going to respond in a way that glorifies God,” King said. “We're going to come before him and try to try and understand and ask him why, instead of blaming him.”
King opened the prayer meeting by explaining its purpose and asking students to pray for the nation. They also encouraged prayer for Kirk’s widow and children, as well as the victims of the school shooting in Colorado.
The gathered students participated in “waterfall prayer,” where all individuals pray aloud together. Once the symphony of voices faded, one of the organizers closed in prayer and the students sang the doxology.
Freshman Jonah Howell, an attendee, appreciated the opportunity to gather in prayer.
“After everything that had happened that day and feeling so worn out, I felt like group prayer was the best way to move forward,” he said. “It was my first time participating in a ‘waterfall prayer,’ where everyone prays out loud at once, and it was a powerful experience, especially coming from a secular high school. It was truly refreshing and renewing, and a clear sign of the vigorous spiritual community at Taylor.”
Campus Pastor Greg Dyson led students in prayer for the Kirk family and those affected by the Colorado school shooting during chapel Friday, Sept. 12.
Kirk’s death garnered widespread attention from leaders across the nation. President Donald Trump and former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden released statements about Kirk’s death.
Trump later awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom and ordered all flags to be at half-staff until the evening of Sunday, Sept. 14.
Sen. Todd Young of Indiana voiced his response to Kirk’s death.
“Charlie Kirk’s murder marked a dark day for America, and I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends,” Young said. “If there is one thing to learn from his consequential short life, it’s that we need to talk more and listen more to one another, and encourage more open dialogue that leads to empathy and understanding. We must come together and ensure that violence has no place in our country.”
Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana also reacted to the event.
“Charlie Kirk’s assassin thought killing him would silence his message,” Banks said. “They were wrong. Conservatives will carry Charlie’s mission forward and we’re not backing down.”
