The "Turning" |
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Susan Rowe, September 11, 2025
The "Turning"
A word for historic times
A Great Awakening is at Hand
Arise, shine;For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,
it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
John 12:24
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,
it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
John 12:24
We are in historic times. The events that unfurled, September 10, 2025, in the USA with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, one of the most profound young conservative voices for Truth in America, have left us once again reeling in grief and trying to grasp its meaning. September 11 already bears deep scars in America’s story — a reminder of the fragility of life, loss, and the resilience of God's people to rise out of darkness. We are all grappling with our emotions and tossed in the whirlwind surrounding God's purposes. Here are some initial thoughts.
God's Word:
In historic times, I will often look at the Torah/Haftarah readings for that day. God is always watching over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12; Ezekiel 12:13). The Bible's words were released through the hands of the Jews, and its Words are forever before His eyes. His timing is perfect. Interestingly, this week’s readings — Deuteronomy 27:11–28:8 and Isaiah 60 — carry a weight and message for us to navigate these traumatic days:
Furthermore, looking ahead, the Fall Feasts begin on September 22. The Haftarah reading for that day is Isaiah 61:10–63:9 — the very same passage read on September 11, 2001...another historic time.
Pray for the harvest/revival:
In light of Charlie's death, John 12:24 promises "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain!" This is the hour and time to pray for the harvest and go into the fields in faith for supernatural interventions to our cries. Pray for spiritual sensitivity and boldness to speak God's word of encouragement. John states, Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment (1 John 4:17). Faith will guide our steps and when we step out, watch God move. Isaiah exhorts:
God's Word:
In historic times, I will often look at the Torah/Haftarah readings for that day. God is always watching over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12; Ezekiel 12:13). The Bible's words were released through the hands of the Jews, and its Words are forever before His eyes. His timing is perfect. Interestingly, this week’s readings — Deuteronomy 27:11–28:8 and Isaiah 60 — carry a weight and message for us to navigate these traumatic days:
- Deuteronomy 27:11-28:8 covers the curses for disobedience, and blessings of obedience as God prepares Israel to go into the Promised Land.
- Isaiah 60 is a proclamation that even though darkness will cover the earth, God's light will shine and bring Aliyah (v. 4); salvation, prosperity, and redemption in Israel (v. 5, 8-9, 10-14, 17-22); but also to the sons of of Ishmael (v. 7, 9); salvation to the Gentiles (v. 3,10).
Furthermore, looking ahead, the Fall Feasts begin on September 22. The Haftarah reading for that day is Isaiah 61:10–63:9 — the very same passage read on September 11, 2001...another historic time.
- Isaiah 61:10-63:9 includes the call of the Watchmen in Isaiah 62:6-7 as well as the return of Jesus in Isaiah 63.
Pray for the harvest/revival:
In light of Charlie's death, John 12:24 promises "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain!" This is the hour and time to pray for the harvest and go into the fields in faith for supernatural interventions to our cries. Pray for spiritual sensitivity and boldness to speak God's word of encouragement. John states, Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment (1 John 4:17). Faith will guide our steps and when we step out, watch God move. Isaiah exhorts:
Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
"Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:3-6
And make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
"Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you."
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:3-6
Pray for our Enemies:
The events of 9/11/2001, 9/12/2025 are different, yet the same. They were attacks on the freedom for which Christ set us free. As such, they are a call to war. Not in the way man views war, but in following Jesus' footsteps. While on the mount of Beatitudes, Jesus relayed the principles of the Kingdom. In it, He exhorted the disciples, But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven, (Matthew 5::44-45). That is what Stephen did in Acts 6-7. Filled with "Faith and power," and doing wondrous things among the people, he too was martyred. While being stoned, Stephen knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:60).
Stephen's martyrdom, in Acts 6-7, has many parallels with what we have experienced with Charlie Kirk's untimely assassination. It is important to note that the next thing that happens in Acts 8 is Saul, on a killing rampage, is knocked off his horse, has an encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road, and is converted. What if we prayed for the salvation for those who are opposing the Kingdom, for Tyler Robinson, his family, and all involved. Pray they may miraculously encounter Jesus and come forth with powerful testimony
The events of 9/11/2001, 9/12/2025 are different, yet the same. They were attacks on the freedom for which Christ set us free. As such, they are a call to war. Not in the way man views war, but in following Jesus' footsteps. While on the mount of Beatitudes, Jesus relayed the principles of the Kingdom. In it, He exhorted the disciples, But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven, (Matthew 5::44-45). That is what Stephen did in Acts 6-7. Filled with "Faith and power," and doing wondrous things among the people, he too was martyred. While being stoned, Stephen knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:60).
Stephen's martyrdom, in Acts 6-7, has many parallels with what we have experienced with Charlie Kirk's untimely assassination. It is important to note that the next thing that happens in Acts 8 is Saul, on a killing rampage, is knocked off his horse, has an encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road, and is converted. What if we prayed for the salvation for those who are opposing the Kingdom, for Tyler Robinson, his family, and all involved. Pray they may miraculously encounter Jesus and come forth with powerful testimony
Pray for Generational Awakening of Family:
Charlie gave his life to reaching college campuses, and largely younger audiences boldly heralding conservative values and the timeless importance of family. Yet today, we find ourselves in an age where those very values are not only questioned but openly challenged. Alternatives to marriage and family have become normalized. Abortion has placed life-and-death decisions into human hands. What was once celebrated as the “Golden Age” of the family in the 1950s began to unravel in the wake of the 1960s and 70s counterculture and sexual revolution. When “no-fault” divorce emerged, the family breakdown accelerated—divorce rates doubled in just two decades, 1960-1980.
Since then, the rise of mass media, the internet, and smartphones has flooded every generation—especially the young—with images, influences, and violence that would have shocked the conscience of earlier generations. Today, 70% of teens report seeing real-life violence on social media. The “eye gates” of millions are daily assaulted with content that numbs hearts and shapes minds toward chaos.
But Charlie’s ministry was never limited to the young—it carried weight across generations. His life testified to this truth: God is raising up a Voice of Truth in our time. With God-given favor, Charlie launched Turning Point in 2012, still a young man himself, but already pioneering a movement for the next generation. Now, the pendulum is swinging. A door has opened. As Erika Kirk has poignantly expressed, "You have no idea what you have done....The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.” A new movement is underway. God is calling for an inter-generational harvest, where the voices of fathers and mothers, sons and daughters rise together. This is the hour to pray, to unite, and to labor for restoration. Malachi 4:5-6 is key for this hour:
Charlie gave his life to reaching college campuses, and largely younger audiences boldly heralding conservative values and the timeless importance of family. Yet today, we find ourselves in an age where those very values are not only questioned but openly challenged. Alternatives to marriage and family have become normalized. Abortion has placed life-and-death decisions into human hands. What was once celebrated as the “Golden Age” of the family in the 1950s began to unravel in the wake of the 1960s and 70s counterculture and sexual revolution. When “no-fault” divorce emerged, the family breakdown accelerated—divorce rates doubled in just two decades, 1960-1980.
Since then, the rise of mass media, the internet, and smartphones has flooded every generation—especially the young—with images, influences, and violence that would have shocked the conscience of earlier generations. Today, 70% of teens report seeing real-life violence on social media. The “eye gates” of millions are daily assaulted with content that numbs hearts and shapes minds toward chaos.
But Charlie’s ministry was never limited to the young—it carried weight across generations. His life testified to this truth: God is raising up a Voice of Truth in our time. With God-given favor, Charlie launched Turning Point in 2012, still a young man himself, but already pioneering a movement for the next generation. Now, the pendulum is swinging. A door has opened. As Erika Kirk has poignantly expressed, "You have no idea what you have done....The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.” A new movement is underway. God is calling for an inter-generational harvest, where the voices of fathers and mothers, sons and daughters rise together. This is the hour to pray, to unite, and to labor for restoration. Malachi 4:5-6 is key for this hour:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6
A Turning Point:
As we seek to make sense of the storms around us, the invitation to "Come up here, for I must show you things to come," Revelation 4:1, is clear. He's got this. God is calling us out of despair, grief, and uncertainty into a renewed commitment to Him and His truth, justice, and Word and ultimately Salvation. God is a covenant keeping God and is faithful to His word. As we yield to His promises, the doors of our hearts will welcome the life-changing power of His Holy Spirit. When we do so, problems become a promise; despair suddenly turns into deliverance and destiny; and sadness creates a new song and strategy. I for one believe a "Great Awakening" is knocking at the door, it only needs to be heard, and opened. The seed has been sown...may it land on soil ready to take root and bear much fruit. Let's not miss this timing for a turning!
As we seek to make sense of the storms around us, the invitation to "Come up here, for I must show you things to come," Revelation 4:1, is clear. He's got this. God is calling us out of despair, grief, and uncertainty into a renewed commitment to Him and His truth, justice, and Word and ultimately Salvation. God is a covenant keeping God and is faithful to His word. As we yield to His promises, the doors of our hearts will welcome the life-changing power of His Holy Spirit. When we do so, problems become a promise; despair suddenly turns into deliverance and destiny; and sadness creates a new song and strategy. I for one believe a "Great Awakening" is knocking at the door, it only needs to be heard, and opened. The seed has been sown...may it land on soil ready to take root and bear much fruit. Let's not miss this timing for a turning!
The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place,
And he will become a glorious throne to his father's house.
Isaiah 22:22-23
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place,
And he will become a glorious throne to his father's house.
Isaiah 22:22-23
PS: BTW, September 11, 2026 will be Rosh Hashanah 5787 (2027). A convergence worth noting!
