Day 2: Good News in the Media
Bible passage: Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 28:11–15; Philippians 4:8
Who Is Shaping Your Mind?
Today is Saturday 4th of April 2020. Welcome to Day 2 of our 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we prayed for the church. Today we pray for the media.
Few of us have ever followed the news as closely as we have in the past few weeks. Television, radio, newspapers, websites, films, advertising and social media reach into every home. Together they shape what a nation believes, what it fears and what it wants. They can inform us or mislead us. They can build people up or drag them down.
Two Kinds of Report
A False Report
The first Easter had its own battle over the news. Matthew tells us that some of the guards went and told the leading priests what had happened at the tomb. The priests and elders gave the soldiers a large bribe, and told them to say that the disciples had come in the night and stolen the body. The soldiers took the money, and the story spread widely (Matthew 28:11–15).
So the first response to the resurrection was a paid campaign to bury the truth. Lies still travel quickly, and the gospel is still misreported. Jesus called the devil the father of lies (John 8:44). That is where deception begins. Our quarrel is not with journalists or broadcasters.
A True Report
Isaiah gives us the other picture. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news.” Isaiah 52:7 (NLT)
The messenger brings news of peace and salvation, the news that our God reigns. The same channels that carry falsehood can carry truth. In these weeks churches up and down the country have had to learn how to share the gospel on screens. That is a door God can use.
Watch What You Take In
Paul tells us where to fix our thoughts: on what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely and admirable (Philippians 4:8). What we feed our minds on matters. David resolved not to look at anything vile (Psalm 101:3).
Most of us now publish as well as read. Every post, comment and share is a small broadcast. Paul’s rule covers all of it: let everything you say be good and helpful (Ephesians 4:29). Why spend our energy arguing with each other online when we could use the same platform for Christ?
Prayer Points for Today
Truth. Pray for honesty, fairness and sound judgement in the way news is gathered and reported.
Journalists. Pray for the safety and integrity of reporters, and for courage to stand against injustice.
Freedom from fear. Pray against coverage that feeds despair, and pray that lies, slander and manipulation would be exposed.
Wholesome content. Pray for programmes that are decent and life-giving, and for protection over what our children see.
Believers in the media. Pray that God would open doors for Christian men and women, and give them favour, creativity and wisdom.
The gospel. Pray that the good news of Jesus would be told clearly on every platform, and that hearts would be touched this Easter.
Ourselves. Pray that we would guard our eyes, check what we share and speak the truth with grace.
Prayer for Today:
Lord, You are the God of truth. I pray for everyone who works in the media. Give them integrity and courage. Let truth be told and lies be exposed. Raise up messengers who carry good news, and let the gospel be heard across our nation this Easter. Guard my own eyes and my own words, and help me to fix my thoughts on what is true and pure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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