Hollywood Prayer Network On God's Heart For HollywoodSample

GOD LOVES CREATIVE PEOPLE BECAUSE HIS FIRST ACT WAS CREATION

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.”   George Bernard Shaw

PRAY:  Lord, I thank You that Your first act was creation. You are Creator of the universe and then You created mankind in Your image. You saw all that You had made and it was very good. You created everything, one step at a time and then You told us how to be creative. Then you chose Bezalel to be the first known artist in the Bible. So, You love creation and You love creative people. Thank You that You have given us role-models, creative gifts, and the desire to be creative, just like You. Help me to celebrate the creative leaders in Hollywood, for You made them in Your image and they have given us beauty, entertainment, and story telling for almost 100 years. Thank You Lord! Amen

REFLECT:  One of the most controversial cities and professions in our country is Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Christians across the country have, for decades, boycotted entertainment companies, shows, films, and people. They have talked against Hollywood and even stopped their young creative family members and friends from coming to Hollywood to start a career. Why would there be such animosity toward just another city and another industry and another group of people? Especially when God's first act was creation and there are examples of creative people, prophets, and leaders all throughout the Bible. Many Christians in Hollywood believe it's a spiritual battle. The enemy recognizes how much impact TV shows, films, music, and video games have on our culture and around the world, and so he wants to keep Christians away from having an influence. Are you allowing the enemy to convince you that Hollywood is evil, or can you embrace God's love and support of creative people and projects? What are your feelings toward Hollywood? Can you see it as the world's most influential mission field?

ACT:  Evaluate your past opinions, conversations, and attitudes about the Hollywood entertainment industry. Do you see it as a reflection of God's creativity and a modern day community of Bezelals, or do you think it's evil, dark, and full of sinners? If you don't like Hollywood or the people who work there, could you ask God right now to change your mind and your heart to reflect His view of that city and those people? Would you ask Him to reveal to you the creativity, the passionate people, and the importance of entertainment for our nation? Would you ask the Lord to show you the modern day Bezalels who are using their gifts and talents to bring joy, beauty, laughter, and great storytelling to the world, instead of just seeing the negative influences that also exist? Allow today to be the first day in a week of seeing Hollywood through God's eyes and ask Him to touch your heart so that you can see it the way He does by the end of the week. 

DEFINITIONS OF CULTURE: 

a: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group : the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time

b: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization a corporate culture focused on the bottom line

c: the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic 

d: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations

e: enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training

f: the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education