You may cringe or roll your eyes at the latest antics from celebrities like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, or maybe you just try to tune them out—but how often do you pray for Hollywood actors and celebrities? A group called the Hollywood Prayer Network coordinates thousands of people who pray for celebrities:
Members of the network, which has chapters in 16 U.S. cities and eight countries, see Hollywood as the 21st century’s largest mission field, a powerful industry that can be used to sow the seeds of an international cultural and religious revival.“We tell people, ‘If you’re angry at a TV show or you’re switching channels because of content, stop and pray for the people on the show,’” said Karen Covell, HPN’s founder. “If you really believe in God and you believe God has a transforming power, then leave it up to him.”
The article describes two apparent motives that drive the group: compassion for scandal-prone celebrities, and a desire to “win over” people who might serve as strategic spokespersons for Christianity. The first motive is commendable, although the second one strikes me as questionable—the last thing I’d wish on a new celebrity convert is the pressure of being a Hollywood spokesperson for Christ while they’re still getting acquainted with the life of faith.
That said, one particularly nice aspect of the ministry is that it also focuses on little-known actors struggling to get into the business—it’s not just about converting the super-famous celebrities.
What do you think of this ministry? The idea of “strategic prayer” to win over influential people makes me a little uncomfortable (it seems so impersonal), but responding to Hollywood worldliness with prayer seems a more positive action than boycotting, decrying, or ignoring spiritually-troubled celebrities. What’s your take?
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November 19, 2007 at 22:28
I found out about this ministry a few years back and I think they’re doing a good thing.
November 19, 2007 at 22:39
The first thing I thought was, “I wonder if the folks in this group pray for one another?” Augustine of Hippo, reflecting on several Psalms, remarked in prayer that we are always restless ‘til we find our rest in God (paraphrased). It seems that rest is a constant and elusive surrender to God’s Boundless Love. And it is a struggle we all face, all the time, if we are honest. So, my prayer for the pray-ers and the pray-ees is that they find rest in the Merciful Spirit-filled Embrace of the Father and of the Crucified One. Paradoxically, it would be grand if the celebs retreat from such a public life, regardless of the state of their souls (which only God knows, btw), rather than becoming highly visible and fragile witnesses. But, then, God will be Glorified.
November 20, 2007 at 02:35
Great post. I’ve been wandering how Christians are responding to these sorts of high profile people.
Here’s another big one:
How will Christians respond if Hillary Clinton is elected as president? Will Christians support and pray for their leaders?
November 20, 2007 at 02:48
I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matt 25:40)
Our first duty is to the church. The Church in the West is in absolute shambles (we ordain gays, turn worship into concert productions while we turn a blind eye to fornication, divorce, and the desecration of the Lord’s Day).
Why are we so concerned about those Hollywood-ites so hostile to the faith? We are losing our children to the wiles of the devil, losing our marriages to the “me” culture of today, and then we ask if we should delve into the Hollywood ministry.
What we should be asking is how can we minister to our brothers and sisters who sit beside us in the pews on Sunday.
You can’t build a house without a foundation!
For Christ and Covenant,
Max
November 20, 2007 at 09:38
31Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32).
Like Adam above, when I read your post, I thought also about the leaders, politicians, and other influential people of the world. How many of us are praying for leaders that affect the way we live our lives?
Sometimes we need to set aside a specific time to really just pray hard for Local, Regional, National, and Global leaders.
Similarly, I think that Hollywood is a prime picking ground for influential leaders in a social environment. They may not be politicians, but nobody can deny the legions of followers these stars can influence.
That is not to say that we should abandon caring for our church. Max is correct in saying that we must have a solid foundation from which we reach out to others. Prayer, however, is not a limited pool from which we dole out to individual cases by order of importance. Rather, it is an infinite pipeline by which we can speak to the Almighty Father, and that should encourage us to pray more and for many things and many people!
November 20, 2007 at 15:49
I don’t pray for them. But I’m glad there is a ministry that does. It’s impossible to remember to pray for “everyone”. Unless, you feel compelled to get on your knees and say, “God, bless everyone in your name” and get up and live on.
November 21, 2007 at 05:03
it is good to pray for them, and i believe it’s a good ground to sow the seed of salvation.
November 21, 2007 at 13:04
I’m encouraged by the response of the readers. Paul tells us in the New Testament to pray for our leaders (and influencers). The most exciting part of prayer to me is that when we talk to God we’re giving up our own control and asking Him to do a miracle in someone’s life, His way. Then it’s not up to us – we just know that we’re a part of something miraculous. I think we’re seeing great things moving in Hollywood because more people are praying. And prayer for Hollywood will bring cultural revival because Hollywood is the world’s most influential mission field! Let’s keep praying for the people in Hollywood!
November 23, 2007 at 22:23
Wow!! This is so amazing. I mean, thousands of Christians around the world had been praying for a day like this. We all know how sad lives the people in Hollywood live. We all had been praying for Hollywood and a move of God among the stars. Its such a wonderful time that the lord truly is moving mightily among all people groups and at all levels. The day is not far when many celebrities will stand up for the lord and make a huge impact. That’s for sure and may the lord bless everyone involved in this movement.
November 25, 2007 at 00:52
How do you convert the celebrities?
What’s their conversion supposed to look like?
Are they supposed to give up everything, keep nothing but the sandals on their feet and go forward to work out their salvation in Jesus’ footsteps?
Or are they supposed to live healthier, shun offers to make movies that offend Conservative Christian sensibility and repudiate their old lifestyle?
Are they supposed to start charities after they convert?
What do we expect from high-profile converted Christians?
We’d all be mad if Paris Hilton got saved by World Changers….
We’d all be a little disgusted if Kirk Cameron converted Britney Spears..