Day 6: The Arts, Gifted by the Spirit
Bible passage: Exodus 31:1–5; Psalm 33:1–3; Zechariah 4:6–7
What Moves Us
Today is Wednesday 8th of April 2020. Welcome to Day 6 of our 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Today we pray for the arts and entertainment: music, film, television, books, sport and the world of celebrity.
These things have great power. A song can stay in the heart for a lifetime. Stories shape what we admire and what we long for. Young people especially are formed by the music they hear and the people they follow.
Creativity Comes from God
Filled with the Spirit to Make
The first person the Bible describes as filled with the Spirit of God was a craftsman. His name was Bezalel. God gave him wisdom, ability and expertise in all kinds of crafts, so that he could work in gold, silver and bronze, cut and set gemstones and carve wood (Exodus 31:2–5).
God is the Creator, and He made us in His image. Our ability to make beautiful things is His gift. He does not ask His people to keep away from the arts. He asks us to bring them to Him.
Skill and Joy
Psalm 33 calls the godly to sing for joy, to praise the Lord with the lyre, to sing a new song and to play skilfully (Psalm 33:1–3). Both words matter. God is honoured by joy, and He is honoured by skill. Sincere but careless work does not give Him glory, and neither does brilliant work that leaves Him out.
When a Gift Becomes a God
Anything good can take God’s place in our hearts. Music, sport and entertainment easily become idols. John ends his first letter with a simple plea to keep away from anything that might take God’s place (1 John 5:21).
This spring the stadiums, cinemas, theatres and concert halls are all closed. It is an unusual chance to ask what had hold of our hearts. David knew where lasting pleasure is found. It is in the joy of God’s presence (Psalm 16:11).
Not by Strength
Changing a culture can feel like facing a mountain. Zerubbabel faced one when he set out to rebuild the Temple from rubble, and God sent him a message. “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit.” Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)
Nothing, God said, not even a mighty mountain, would stand in Zerubbabel’s way. He would set the final stone in place, and the people would shout for God’s blessing on it (Zechariah 4:7). Older translations have them shouting, “Grace, grace!” What God starts, He gives the grace to finish.
Prayer Points for Today
Christian artists. Pray for musicians, writers, actors, film-makers and designers who follow Jesus, that they would work with excellence and holiness.
Sportsmen and women. Pray for Christians in sport, that they would be bold and gracious witnesses.
What is made. Pray for music, films, programmes and books that are good, true and beautiful, and against content that degrades people.
Young people. Pray for discernment about what they listen to, watch and follow.
Livelihoods. Pray for everyone in the arts and in sport whose work has stopped, that God would provide.
Worship. Pray for new songs, and for the musicians and creative people in our own church.
Our hearts. Pray that we would have no idols, and would do everything for the glory of God.
Prayer for Today:
Creator God, thank You for music, for stories, for beauty and for play. Thank You for every gift of creativity. Fill Your people with Your Spirit as You filled Bezalel. Let what they make point people to You. Forgive me where I have let entertainment take Your place. Show me again that the greatest joy is in Your presence. Not by strength, Lord, but by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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