Christian Daily International is pleased to join in praying for Christian professionals working in all forms of media at a first Global Day of Prayer for the Media initiative launching this Sunday, October 27. The event has been organized by the Hollywood Prayer Network in the U.S., Christian Media and Art Australia, the Christian Broadcasting Association of New Zealand and Christians in Media in the U.K.
"Individually, we are organizations passionate about supporting those called to serve in the religious and secular media, arts and entertainment industries,” said the organizers, in a joint statement. “As Christians, of all denominations, we feel called to stand for truth, integrity and justice in a world crying out for God's love, grace and compassion."
The day’s events will see different hosts involved in Christian media taking turns to lead prayers. This includes prayerfully acknowledging the wide variety of media roles where followers of Jesus are employed, ranging from journalists to podcasters, photographers to dancers – asking God to raise media to its highest purpose, say the organizers.
"Hosts from around the world will take turns to lead us,” they added. “And guest speakers representing the diverse media arena and Christian denominations across the continents will encourage and inspire our prayers."
While not part of the organizers, Christian Daily International (CDI) fully supports the prayer movement for those working in media.
“As CDI, we warmly welcome this prayer initiative. In our work in media, we’re deeply conscious of our total dependence on the Living God. He speaks today - through creation, conscience, and relationships among other ways and most clearly in Jesus Christ and the Bible,” CDI International Director Gordon Showell-Rogers commented.
“We are also very aware of the need to strengthen independent Christian journalism around the world, especially in regions and countries where there is currently little to no Christian news media. We covet your prayers as we strive to tell biblical, factual and personal stories and highlight relevant voices from every region of the world – told by reporters and editors in those regions.”
A vision that has grown into a global movement
The Rev. Peter Crumpler, a former communications director with the Church of England who still writes reports and broadcasts in between work as a minister in St Albans, England, will join prayers and speak on the Christians in Media UK segment of the event, during the 12pm noon until 3pm BST slot.
“I'm welcoming this project,” Crumpler wrote for Christian Today. “Some years back, I was involved in helping to launch a U.K. Day of Prayer for the Media, encouraging churches, groups and individual Christians to commit to pray for the media on a Sunday in October. That idea, that vision, has now grown into a global movement, and I believe will continue to grow.”
"I'll be focussing on the important role of the local media in all our communities, and how we need professional journalists helping to keep people informed, and holding decision-makers to account,” Crumpler added, talking about his own prayerful focus for the event. “Many local media outlets have had to close or cut back, because of advertising going online to big web corporations."
Duncan Williams, an Independent news and technology specialist, believes the prayer event serves as a reminder of how Christians working in media have a powerful role to play in furthering the kingdom of God.
"Throughout my career, I've witnessed how media - across all its forms - can be a remarkable force, capable of informing, educating, and inspiring people. At its best, it shines a light on truth and brings us closer together," said Williams.
Organizers of the Global Day of Prayer are calling for Christians to:
• Give thanks to God for all those called to serve Him in this crucial public space in your country and across the world.
• Ask for opportunities to build positive relationships with your local media to share stories of how your church is serving the community.
• Ask for wisdom and creativity for those in your church who create and manage your social media platforms, that through their content they engage people.
• That all of us think before we post on social media: to be people of love, not hate.
• That the powerful are held to account, ensuring that those with influence and resources in our society have their actions and motivations scrutinised and challenged. And that a fair, balanced media brings true facts and information to our attention.
• For strength and wisdom for journalists, reporters who face persecution in many parts of the world, as they seek to bring truthful facts and information.
• For a healthy balance of work, friendships and family life for all media, arts, and entertainment professionals.
• That the content of films, TV shows, podcasts, video games, art, dance and songs – all creative expressions – glorify God and are reflections of His truth, goodness and beauty.
• That there is mercy and compassion for storytellers all over the world. That He would touch their hearts to know His grace. And that He would infuse them with imagination, ideas, collaborations, open doors, professional teams, and for creative teams that work in unity.
Extracts from a Prayer for the Day, as quoted by Crumpler, reads: "We bring before you all those around the world who work within the media. We ask for your blessing on the producers, directors, presenters, managers, writers, journalists, editors, technicians, and the vast array of others who make up the media.
"By Your grace, we pray for media around the world to be raised to its highest purpose; to be a vehicle for good, for edification and truth, for dignity and courage, and the flourishing of your world. Lord, make our media a blessing to all people."
Information about the live-streamed event can be found at www.prayformedia.com and on YouTube.
