What is Media?
A means of transmitting information from one group or individual to
another group or individual. In the modern world, "media" principally
has come to be recognized as radio, TV, newspapers, magazines and the varied forms of
advertising (hoardings, leaflet drops etc.). New forms of media are being
experimented with and are developing rapidly. (E-mail, interactive video etc.)
Why media ministry?
It is the fastest means to proclaim the good news to "every nation,
tribe, language and people." (Revelations 14:6). To achieve success, we must "meet people where they
are"(location).
Just a Finding
The average weekly media consumption in Britain is approximately 75
hours per person. Half listen to radio every day, three quarters read a daily
newspaper, and about 98% of British households possess at least one television
set. The average time spent in Christian thought or church attendance? If people are no longer attending church, are reticent to attend public
meetings, are scared to open their front door to a friendly knock; the media
offers an avenue to allow a Christian viewpoint inside the home.
Luke 19:13 (KJV) – “And he called his
ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I
come.”
Hebrews 1:1-2 (AMP) – “God, having spoken
to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many
separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in
many ways) has in these last days spoken [with finality] to us in [the person
of One who is by His character and nature] His Son [namely Jesus], whom He
appointed heir and lawful owner of all things, through whom also He created the
universe.”
God used many approaches to send His messages to people in the Old
Testament times. He spoke to Isaiah in a vision (Isaiah 6:1-13), Jacob in a dream (Genesis 28:10-27) and to Abraham and Moses personally (Genesis 18; Exodus 31:18).And in this day, is revealing His will
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV) – “ I charge thee
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and
the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Prayer Focus
Ø Increased
opportunities to impart the truth through media and for lives to be changed.
Ø The Christian media professionals will be true witnesses of the gospel
to their colleagues.
Ø Effective
discipleship of young Christians who are looking to build a career in, or will be
working with, the media.
Luke 19:11-27 (AMP)
“While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a
parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they assumed that the kingdom of
God was going to appear immediately [as soon as He reached the city]. So
He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to obtain for himself a
kingdom, and [then] to return. So he called ten of his servants,
and gave them ten minas [one apiece, each equal to about a hundred days’ wages] and
said to them, ‘Do business [with this] until I return.’ But his citizens [the residents of his new
kingdom] hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not
want this man to be a king over us.’
When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these
servants, to whom he had given the money, be called to him, that he might find
out what business they had done. The first one came before him and said,
‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done,
good servant! Because you proved yourself faithful and trustworthy in
a very little thing, you shall [now] have authority over ten
cities [in my kingdom].’ The second one came and said, ‘Lord, your
mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him also, ‘And you shall take
charge over five cities.’ Then another came and said, ‘Lord, here is your
mina, which I have kept laid up in a handkerchief [for safekeeping]. I
was [always] afraid of you, because you are a stern man; you pick up what you did not lay down and you reap what you did not
sow.’ He said to the servant, ‘I will judge and condemn you by
your own words, you worthless servant! Did you [really] know that I
was a stern man, picking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not
sow? Then why did you not [at the very least] put my money in a
bank? Then on my return, I would have collected it with interest.’
Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it
to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten
minas already!’ [Jesus explained,] ‘I tell you
that to everyone who has [because he valued his gifts from God and has
used them wisely], more will be given; but from the one who does not
have [because he disregarded his gifts from God], even what he has will be
taken away.’ [The king ended by saying,] ‘But as for these
enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them, bring them here and
kill them in my presence.’
Prayer Points
Ø Father, thank You for
the calling You have placed on the lives of many Christians to serve You in the
media across all of its expressions.
Ø We thank You for the
media and the opportunities it creates. We thank You for the Christians who
work in that world day in day out, striving to live lives of integrity and
humility.
Ø We give thanks for
all who report, evaluate, interview, challenge and investigate on our behalf;
for correspondents, photographers, technicians and engineers, movie producers
and directors.
Ø Father, You spoke to
all humanity through the life of Jesus, we pray for those who speak and
communicate by the media that they will be source for You to communicate
through to the world in this time.
Ø The Lord has asked
and trusts them to occupy till He returns! Lord, as You have trusted them to
occupy and fill in for You, Father give them Your heart for the nations and
souls.
Ø Lord, make them
profitable for You.
Ø Father, please ensure
that Your investment of Your word, the full gospel and the Holy Spirit are not
squandered or wasted in their lives.
Ø Dear Lord Jesus, help
them not to hide what You have given them or misuse it.
Ø Help them to be
trustworthy and faithful in the “very little” You have assigned to them.
Ø Lord, please do
something to their hearts that they won’t be found wanting in Your service.
Ø Father, let then have
a picture in mind of their audience and work with their strengths and
limitations in mind. (Acts 17:16-34. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Luke 21:15(KJV) – “For I will give you
a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor
resist.”
Titus 1:9 (KJV) – “Holding fast the
faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine
both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
Ø Father, give them a
mouth and wisdom which cannot be gainsaid.
Ø We pray that the
information which they relay to us will increase our understanding, that understanding
will increase our compassion, and that compassion will move us to action so
that the God of all time and all peoples may be seen and known.
Ø Let them be effective
followers of You; shining as a light, in what are at times, dark places.
Ø May they know Your
encouragement as they work in areas that can be discouraging and challenging to
their faith.
Ø As they face the
challenge of their work, may they know Your protection and may they be
hallmarked by integrity.
Ø Thank you, Father,
that You promised never to leave us on our own, so please send the Holy Spirit
afresh to those who are Your followers working in the media. May they know You
as their counsellor, their friend, the one who stands alongside them.
Ø Sovereign, revealing
Lord, we thank You for the power for good of words and of images, and we lament
the ways they are used for evil purposes.
Ø As we cry to You for truth, grace and justice in places of suffering, locally and globally, we ask that You grant that
people of goodwill in the media may love truth, mercy, and justice. And we
especially ask that You would so infuse those who love Christ with Your Spirit
that their words and images may effect positive transformation in all the
places where they are seen and heard.
Ø Grant them great
grace to use their profession for Your glory as a means and tool to propagate
the Gospel.
1 Thessalonians
1:5 - "For our gospel
did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and
in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your
sake.”
Ø The Holy Spirit will
help them speak the proper words as they spread the truth of God’s Word (Luke 12:12).
Ø Father, give them the
Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind so they can boldly proclaim the
message of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:7–8).
Ø Father, let their
hearts be inditing a good matter so that they may they speak of the total Gospel; make their tongues the pen of a
ready writer (Psalms 45:1).
Ø We pray that You
would continue to move powerfully in the media.
Ø May the story tellers
and the poets reflect Your redemptive story.
Ø May the journalists
and the bloggers write with a passion for justice, seeking truth rather than
just headlines.
Ø Father, we pray for
the producers and the directors, that they will receive inspiration from the
Holy Spirit to create movies that will cause the heart of men to seek You again
and captivate their hearts for Christ (Exodus 31:1-2).
Ø Father, we take the
territory of the movie industry as a tool to preach the complete Gospel.
Ø Lord, may they be
true witnesses for and of You in all they do.
Ø Father, we pray
against every limiting factor whether they be physical or spiritual.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18–20).
Ø Father, we pray that
the media industry will be used as a tool for the multiplication of
discipleship.
Ø Lord, we pray for
speed.
