U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) hosted the 15th annual South Carolina Prayer Breakfast, an event that brought together hundreds of participants from across the state, including elected officials, faith leaders, and community members. The gathering is a nonpartisan and multi-faith tradition that offers attendees a chance to reflect on shared values and consider the influence of faith in public service.
This year’s breakfast was held during a period of mourning following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Addressing those present, Senator Scott spoke about responding to such events with resilience and compassion.
“How do you respond to such an evil attack? I think the gospel of Jesus Christ is where we should take a look,” said Sen. Scott. “It’s incredibly important that we take a step back from the ‘who,’ and take a step forward into looking into the mirror and asking ourselves, ‘How do we as individuals not be overcome with evil, but instead overcome evil with good?’”
Senator Scott referenced past tragedies in South Carolina as examples of forgiveness and unity. “When nine African Americans in Charleston, SC, lost their lives because somebody, a racist, walked into the church and wanted to start a race war, they misjudged those Christians. Because what they did in less than 36 hours, they looked the killer in the eyes – their family members did – and leaned on the power of Matthew 5:44 to love your enemies, to pray for those who persecute you. They offered forgiveness and as a result of that, our state came together,” he continued.
Scott also called for greater civility nationwide: “If we want the kind of response nationwide, let’s have a place of civility where we can debate, disagree vehemently on the foundational principles, the philosophies that govern us. But let’s not demonize people who are not like us. If we can’t do that, we cannot be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The prayer breakfast has become an annual opportunity for South Carolinians from various backgrounds to gather in reflection and dialogue about faith’s role in society.
