On Jan. 2, 2023, the world was watching Monday Night Football. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field after completing a tackle. Presumably, his heart stopped. At once, every player on the field knelt to pray for him. In the sight of a tragedy something beautiful transpired: The people were united. It didn’t matter what team you were rooting for — this became about seeking a miracle from God for this young man.
Have you taken your place on the wall?
The media were filled with reposts of what had happened. The hashtag #prayforDamar also flooded social media. An analyst for ESPN, a secular sports channel, actually prayed on live television: ESPN host leads powerful prayer for Damar Hamlin on-air.
Even my own local news reported about the power of prayer and shared a miracle in the wake of what happened. The report focused on the prayer-faith connection.
Do you see God working through the media? Here are a few praiseworthy headlines:
New Texans Head Coach: ‘Jesus Christ is Who Matters Most’.
Eagles QB Calls John 13:7 His ‘Favorite Verse’
Can we praise God for this? Despite all the flack the mainstream media have been taking, I see small victories taking place. This is what we’ve been praying for. Years back I wrote an article about the media and how they were used in the first and second Great Awakenings: The Truth About the Media.
Men and women of God took full advantage of the resources they had back then to spread the gospel message. With all our contemporary advances in technology, just imagine what we can do today.
Will you continue to pray for the media? (And yes, that includes mainstream media as well.)
There is a generation walking around now that is only seeking information. Believers should be seekers of revelation. Information cannot accomplish what revelation can, and only revelation can bring about transformation.
Pray for light and truth in the media.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).
American poet Allen Ginsberg once conveyed a powerful truth: “Whoever controls the media, the images, controls the culture.”
Is this not what we are seeing today? The media wield a great influence. This was initially intended for good, but Satan is a deceiver. He always perverts God’s creation to suit his twisted agenda. The media have divided people for too long. And social media gives everyone a platform. What has happened in the process is that many are touting opinions as facts.
There are many online arguments now between the unregenerate and the Christians. The saddest part is that Christians are also attacking other Christians. Let’s do our part by continuing in prayer, using the media to glorify God, and to win the masses. Let’s pray now:
Father, we praise You for Your goodness. Your message is spreading. The world is taking notice, and we praise You for what is taking place. Whether it’s social media, secular news, or the commercials that people are watching — seeds are being planted.
Forgive us for when we have used our media to promote our own opinions and “theology” over Your kingdom. Help us to keep our eyes on the prize, which is Jesus Christ.
We pray that the message of Jesus Christ would unapologetically be front and center. We pray that miracles, signs, wonders, deliverance, and salvation would be the headlines that draw the masses to you. We pray for more professional reporters who will boldly pray on air and point to Jesus as the solution to our hurting world.
We ask that every eye that has been blinded by the god of this world might see the Lord Jesus as He truly is, not as the media say He is. Bring a fresh revelation of Your truth to those who are seeking truth. And the Lord Jesus is the only truth that is necessary.
Let us be seekers of revelation and bring transformation. In Jesus’ name we ask these things. Amen.
What are your thoughts about what God is doing with media? Share your prayers below.
IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast, Something To Share. Photo Credit: Canva.