Prayer for the media
The following is a sequence of prayers I wrote for my fieldwork “National Day of Prayer” service/event. I didn’t like the material suggestions so I brainstormed my own. I received a couple positive comments on it. The following is a draft which I modified on the fly. I don’t recall the changes specifically except some of the repetition and wordiness. Here it is for your edification:
Dear Heavenly Father, into the nothingness you spoke words which created all creation. These words spoken into Mary’s ear conceived your Son. This Word spoken to the waters of the storm by your Son stilled them. May we recognize the power of your Words and that our words are used by you to create. We ask your forgiveness for those times we have used words to destroy, to insult, or to spread lies. We pray that you would use our lips to testify to the freedom from bondage to sin won by your Son. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Dear Jesus Christ, you came into this world proclaiming the Word of reconciliation found in you. You used the media of synagogue to teach and preach to the people. May we recognize the gifts of media you have given us to teach and preach and use them to your glory. May all those given these gifts by you use them to your glory whether it be news anchor, author, or musician. As you used the gifts of human communication, guide those who have been given these gifts to use them for the building of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Holy Spirit, you breathed inspiration into the hearts and minds of the authors of Holy Scripture. You continue to provide inspiration for your servants, enabling to them to speak your Words of Law and Gospel. We repent of those times we have twisted your good inspiration into words, ideas, melodies, and illustrations which you would not have us speak. Be with us and all those with the gifts of writing, speaking, music and image making. We pray that we and all those with such gifts may recognize them as your gift and work in us and may use them to the edification of all men. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Many in this world have been given to many forms of media. We have been given newspapers, television, film, books, visual art, and the internet. All these gifts can be used to create art, to inform, or to grow in knowledge, all to your glory. Yet, Lord we know that many abuse these gifts, spreading lies, deceit, sinful fleshy desire, and death. We pray your protection from the snares laid by the evil One using those who would misuse your gifts. May your Spirit give us discernment to know what media are useful and edifying and what media are harmful. Be with us as we engage the world through the media, protecting us from evil, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
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