EGN NEWS DESK
I’m privileged to be collaborating within the first-ever Global Day of Prayer for the Media this Sunday, October 27.
Christians who work in and with media in all its types shall be becoming a member of in a global live-streamed occasion, to be proven on www.prayformedia.com and on YouTube.
The occasion is the brainchild of co-operation between Christians in Media UK, Christian Media and Art Australia, the Christian Broadcasting Association of New Zealand, and the Hollywood Prayer Network within the US.
In a joint declaration, they are saying: “Individually, we’re organisations keen about supporting these known as to serve within the spiritual and secular media, arts and leisure industries. As Christians, of all denominations, we really feel known as to face for reality, integrity and justice in a world crying out for God’s love, grace and compassion.”
They clarify the day’s define: “Hosts from world wide will take turns to guide us. And visitor audio system representing the varied media area and Christian denominations throughout the continents will encourage and encourage our prayers.”
The organisers quoted the late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who stated: “In a world inundated with info, the media has the accountability to discern reality from falsehood, to make clear injustice, and to encourage hope. Its potential for optimistic change is boundless.”
Increasingly – and sadly – folks the world over have grow to be extra cynical concerning the media, particularly these reporting on controversial points, like wars and elections. Trust in journalism is falling. And but, with out truth-seekers and people dedicated to reporting with integrity and impartiality, we’ve no foundation to make knowledgeable selections. Truth issues.
I shall be amongst UK Christians praying and talking on the livestream between 12 midday and 3pm London time on Sunday, in help of the Christians in Media involvement with the worldwide initiative.
I’m welcoming this mission. Some years again, I used to be concerned in serving to to launch a UK Day of Prayer for the Media, encouraging church buildings, teams and particular person Christians to commit to hope for the media on a Sunday in October. That thought, that imaginative and prescient, has now grown into a worldwide motion, and I consider will proceed to develop.
In my slot, I’ll be focussing on the vital function of the native media in all our communities, and the way we’d like skilled journalists serving to to maintain folks knowledgeable, and holding decision-makers to account. Many native media retailers have needed to shut or in the reduction of, due to promoting going surfing to massive net firms.
But lately, we’ve seen a brand new era of revolutionary community-based journalists preventing again towards the development. Churches are primarily native organisations – so we needs to be supporting these important new initiatives.
I’m additionally eager that younger Christians – and people of all ages – will see a profession working in media as a vocation by means of which God’s Name could be made recognized, and His Truth set forth.
The organisers of the Global Day of Prayer are calling for Christians to:
• Give due to God for all these known as to serve Him on this essential public area in your nation and the world over.
• Ask for alternatives to construct optimistic relationships along with your native media to share tales of how your church is serving the group.
• Ask for knowledge and creativity for these in your church who create and handle your social media platforms, that by means of their content material they have interaction folks.
• That all of us assume earlier than we submit on social media: to be folks of affection, not hate.
• That the highly effective are held to account, making certain that these with affect and assets in our society have their actions and motivations scrutinised and challenged. And {that a} truthful, balanced media brings true info and knowledge to our consideration.
• For power and knowledge for journalists, reporters who face persecution in lots of components of the world, as they search to convey truthful info and knowledge.
• For a wholesome steadiness of labor, friendships and household life for all media, arts, and leisure professionals.
• That the content material of movies, TV exhibits, podcasts, video video games, artwork, dance and songs – all artistic expressions – glorify God and are reflections of His reality, goodness and sweetness.
• That there’s mercy and compassion for storytellers all around the world. That He would contact their hearts to know His grace. And that He would infuse them with creativeness, concepts, collaborations, open doorways, skilled groups, and for artistic groups that work in unity.
Extracts from a Prayer for the Day reads: “We convey earlier than you all these world wide who work throughout the media. We ask on your blessing on the producers, administrators, presenters, managers, writers, journalists, editors, technicians, and the huge array of others who make up the media.
“By Your grace, we pray for media world wide to be raised to its highest objective; to be a car for good, for edification and reality, for dignity and braveness, and the flourishing of your world. Lord, make our media a blessing to all folks.
“We pray all this within the title of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Rev Peter Crumpler educated as a journalist and labored in worldwide company communications. He later turned communications director with the Church of England. He is now a CofE minister in St Albans, UK, and continues to put in writing and broadcast.
