PRAYER FOCUS: Arts, Entertainment & Sports
- Mar 25
- 15 min read
One of the seven major US cultural influences in society is arts, entertainment and sports. Much money, time, talk and resources revolve around them.
As with anything, we need to be careful to redeem the time. Like Paul warned in Ephesians [5:15-16] ...
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
March 27th - Most Dangerous Sports Part 2
Podcast: Praying for those who choose to participate and those that are trying to improve the protection with better equipment and education
#8 Boxing fighters endure hundreds of blows to the head during careers, accumulating damage that leads to chronic traumatic brain injuries. #9 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combines striking, grappling, and submissions, creating a diverse array of injury mechanisms. 10. Heli-skiing drops skiers into remote, avalanche-prone backcountry terrain far from immediate rescue. #11 Cave Diving combines the dangers of underwater exploration with confined spaces and no direct route to the surface. #12 Horse Racing jockeys ride at speeds up to 40 mph face catastrophic falls when horses stumble, collide, or clip heels. #13 Street Luge riders lie flat on their backs while descending steep roads at speeds exceeding 80 mph, just inches from the pavement. #14 Rodeo competitions beyond bull riding, rodeo events like saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, and steer wrestling involve large, powerful animals in unpredictable situations. #15Downhill Mountain Biking racers cycle down mountainsides at speeds over 40 mph on technical terrain filled with rocks, roots, drops, and jumps creates numerous crash opportunities.
Prayer Points: safety, technology & training improve protection, consideration if this is the right sport for the person, more education before trying the sport, not intoxicated while attempting, ample practice and safety gear, salvation, gambling stopped, review if God wants them to participate, count the costs, enough news coverage to prevent others from trying.
March 26th - Most Dangerous Sports Part 1
Number 1 is BASE jumping, [Buildings, Antennae, Spans (bridges), and Earth (cliffs) jumpers use one parachute from low altitudes leaving less time to correct malfunctions or deploy a backup. #2 – High-altitude mountaineering, climbing peaks above 26K feet in an oxygen deprivation zone. #3 Wingsuit Flying - at more than 120mph, gliding close to cliff faces and terrain, greatly increasing risk. #4 –Free solo climbing eliminates all protective equipment, no ropes, no harnesses, no safety nets. #5 – Bull riding pits humans against 1,800-pound animals bred for power and unpredictability. #6 – Motorcycle racing navigates narrow public roads at speeds exceeding 200 mph, with stone walls, buildings, and curbs mere inches from racing line. #7 Big Wave Surfing tackles waves 60-100 feet high combines drowning risk with the force of tons of water crashing down.
Prayer points: safety, protection, consideration if this is the right sport for the person, more education before trying the sport, not intoxicated while attempting, ample practice and safety gear, salvation, gambling stopped, review if God wants them to participate, count the costs, enough news coverage to prevent others from trying.
March 25th - Competitive Dancing
Podcast: Praying for people in dancing competitions to stay safe physically, mentally and spiritually.
Prayer points: pressures to win; relationship issues within groups or competitors, mental health awareness, music with good morals, safety, practice with boundaries, how much time necessary before making moves that can harm the body, dance moves fun and entertaining with modesty, coaches that help choreograph creative challenges coupled with ample stretching, healthy competitions, no violent behavior, drugs or alcohol allowed to ensure the dancers’ protection; environments where held have substantial security in place.
Personal challenge: According to Harvard Health Dancing is an excellent, full-body workout that significantly improves cardiovascular health, boosts cognitive function, and enhances balance and strength. The next time you watch a dancing competition or hear of one, take a moment to pray for those involved. Or consider participating in dancing for your health.
March 24th - Board Games
Podcast: Praying people use spiritual discernment when purchasing new games and/or playing ones, they have using the WWJD test
Prayer points: developers, marketers, manufacturers, distributors, players, games have positive messages, good role models with godly standards, healthy diverse representation for target group, minimal to no scariness and violence, no sex, nudity and romance that is healthy, no profanity, no drinking, drugs, or smoking, what is it trying to sell in the game other products, if so are they for good or evil, educational value involved, clear age restrictions and recommendations.
Personal challenge:To test your discernment, check out this website Browse Board Games | BoardGameGeek that ranks by user ratings on how much they would be willing to play the game. Try looking at the top 15. Which of those would you consider playing? Does it pass the “Would Jesus approve this game test?” Why or why not? Is this appropriate for children or adults?
March 23rd - At School & Community K-12 Sports
Prayer points/scriptures: Competition healthy; Sports safety; Parents/Players realistic; Spectators supportive; build team skills, become better citizens, enforces healthy active habits, protection from bystanders, coaches and umpires rule and work collaboratively, realistic expectations from families, spectators, team and coaches
Personal Challenge: Next time you see or hear K-12 playing a sport, stop and take a moment to pray for all those involved with making it happen
March 20th - Video Games Part 2 [Controlled vs Self-Controlled]
Prayer points/scriptures:
Time – how much spending? Is it best use of time? Is time wasted? Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do. [Eph. 5:16-17]
Content – Would Jesus play this with me? Why or why not? Does it help or hinder a person’s walk with the Lord? Could you play this around children? I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. [Ps. 101:3]
Boundaries – What type of margins should one apply for costs, time, who to play with? If sitting, for how long for your health? [Refer to 1 Cor. 6:12]
Personal Challenge:
Honestly answer the following questions before playing: Will it edify or entertain me? Am I obeying self-will or God’s will? Does the game glorify God? Will playing result in good works? Does it help me exhibit self-control? While playing, does it redeem the time? Does it pass Phil. 4:8 frisk test? Will playing fit in with your life goals? Does it help give an eternal focus?
March 19th - Superbowl & Halftime
Prayer points/scriptures: Teams –for Christian athletes to be bold in sharing their faith with godly behavior & not fall prey to temptations; for Chaplains to reach the non-believers for Christ; for their salvation; open doors; open hearts. Hold to high standards in behavior before/after the game. [Romans 1:16]. Viewers – behave respectfully, praise the players who demonstrate good sportsmanship i.e. helping opponent off the ground; giving team glory when a win is made; not yelling at refs; take the opportunity to share their faith with those they are watching with; filter what they watch before game; commercials & during half-time. [1 John 2:15-17]. Performers: Pray for God inspired songs to move the audiences/teams; for lewd songs/actions to stop; for patriotism to be highlighted; the pregame doesn’t hype people to do evil; postgame events; salvation of the performers. [Ps. 101:2-4]. Athletes in Action hosts a breakfast before the game; pray for the gospel to be shared; able to encourage other athletes to join; for speakers to honor God and share their faith boldly; for the organization to reach their dream to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport, in every nation and able to help athletes find a relationship with Jesus and use their platform to make a difference in the world. [Matt. 28:19-20]
Personal Challenge: If you plan to watch the game, pray in advance to avoid the temptations from the performances, commercials and game upsets. Ask God how you can be a good model of Christ, if watching it with others. If you aren’t watching it, pray for people to not imbibe in ungodly behavior and for believers to be bold in witnessing their faith on the field.
March 18th - Video Games [To Play or Not to Play] Part 1
Prayer points/scriptures:
Entertainment Software Rating Board [ESRB]; Ratings: EC; E; 10+; T; M; A; RP; Rating Categories: Use of Substances; Blood/gore & Violence: 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.; Hosea 4:2 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Humor: Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. And Ephesians 5:4 - 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.; Language: Colossians 3:8 - But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips Gambling: 1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. Nudity & Sexuality: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” (Ephesians 5:5)
Game Developers & Those Rating the Games: Ps. 11:5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. Personal Challenge: Review the categories above used by the ESRB to rate video games. Which ones should you not play if they have those elements? Do you play video games to compete with others or individually? Is there anything in it that Jesus would not watch? How much time is it taking? Are you addicted? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal whether you are following His lead or for selfish pleasure?
March 17th - Next Most Watched Sports Part 2
Prayer Points/Scriptures:
Owners – protect their staff/teams; not cut costs leading to dangers; not love money; healthy business deals, high standards. [1 Timothy 6:10] ; Advertisers – cleaner ads especially at major events watched by so many; more moral standards [Isaiah 5:20]
Players – safety, play ethically, high integrity, avoid enhancing drugs, build camaraderie, family time [Ps. 25:21] ; Spectators – healthy rivalry, not idolize, avoid arguments over best team, time balanced with family, friends & God. [2 Timothy 2:23-25 ESV] ; Team staff – consider safety not just winning; build team spirit, encourage self-control in practice and play, build morale & character; same standards expected for all players [Proverbs 25:28 ESV]
March 16th - Secular Film Industry
Prayer Points/Scriptures [NLT]:
Staff – saved, delivered from evil, set free from addictions, higher standards, better morals, transformation and reformation in the industry [Col. 3:17 & 2 Cor. 5:17]
Content – better material, family friendly, inspirational, thoughtful, provoke to good behavior, documentaries that inform without inciting violence, healthier scripts, clean humor, creative ideas that foster better citizenry, less sensational, more educational; responsibility to help not harm people nor children [Prov. 17:22; Luke 17:2]
Influence – less images of violence, murders, accidents, blood, gore, stabbings, disturbing images, sexual situations; viewers recognize real from fiction; monitor quantity and quality of films; aware how it impacts sleep, dreams, feelings, mental health, fears; more so in children Ps. 101:3a; 2 Tim. 1:7; Prov. 3:31
Personal Challenge: Next time you choose a film; stop before watching, pray you will turn off anything that is offensive to God and then pray for those who made the film.
March 13th - Sports Top Watched Part 1
Prayer Points/Scriptures:
Owners – protect their staff/teams; not cut costs leading to dangers; not love money; healthy business deals, high standards. [1 Timothy 6:10]
Advertisers – cleaner ads especially at major events watched by so many; more moral standards [Isaiah 5:20]
Players – safety, play ethically, high integrity, avoid enhancing drugs, build camaraderie, family time [Ps. 25:21]
Spectators – healthy rivalry, not idolize, avoid arguments over best team, time balanced with family, friends & God. [2 Timothy 2:23-25 ESV]
Team staff – consider safety not just winning; build team spirit, encourage self-control in practice and play, build morale & character; same standards expected for all players [Proverbs 25:28 ESV]
Personal Challenge: Do you watch any of the most preferred sports in the US? If so, how much do you spend in watching, betting, or buying sports team paraphernalia? How much time do you spend viewing it? Ask the Lord to show you if it’s crowding out time with Him or those you love and/or spending more money than you have? Check out How should a Christian view sports / athletics? | GotQuestions.org.
March 12th - Secular & Christan Concerts
Prayer Points:
Christian concerts: promotion of the gospel, people give their life to the Lord, intimate gatherings creates a community, inspires, edifies, encourages, unity, messages that challenge, not just entertainment, safety from outsiders with ill intentions.
Secular concerts: safety, more signage to prevent stampedes, blocking, risky behavior, drugs not allowed and sufficient guards to prevent it, minors not allowed to drink alcohol, no open sex allowed, more manageable size audiences. More parents and attendees are aware of the potential dangers at a concert, especially the longer and larger ones. More Christian groups would be able to pray over the concerts or be at exhibits to share the gospel.
March 11th - Auto Speedways & Motocross Raceways Sports
Prayer Points
Drivers – salvation, Christians model Christ well & with integrity/purity; able to overcome temptations; safety when driving; their pit crew & helpers safe & alert
Fontana Auto Club Speedway – continues to be free to televise & say the invocation; the cross remains the center of the activities; safety to fans/track staff; gospel shared boldly; fans won’t idolize instead appreciate talent, skill & courage
San Bernardino Stock Care Speedway – safety to all racing & supporting the race on tracks; alcohol restrictions before/during/after races
Motocross Glen Helen Raceway – extra precautions for those on the bikes, enforcement of safety gear, dirt prepared properly; orderly conduct on/off the track; prohibition to drugs and alcohol before/during/after the race
Christian Race Ministries – Racing with Jesus & Beyond Checkered Flags
Personal Challenge: If you attend or watch any of these types of races, pick a team to pray for. If you do not, consider choosing one of the raceways to cover in prayer.
Marth 10th - Christian Music, Film, Theater, Sports Celebrities
Prayer Points/Scriptures: Key Resources & Communities for Christian Actors [Rom. 1:16; Col. 3:23-24]
Christian Entertainment Guild (CEG): A ministry-focused organization, offering mentorship, community, and training for media professionals; JCFilms Studios: A large, active community focused on producing and casting independent faith-based films;
Christian Casting Community: A Facebook group and platform (ChristianCasting.com) that connects actors with faith-based projects; Association of Christian Actors: A community for actors, writers, and filmmakers, providing support, prayer, and networking; Christian Media Association: Equipping and networking Christian Filmmakers, Storytellers and Communicators around the world since 1997
SPORTS - Fellowship of Christian Athletes: 2 passions, faith and athletics, to impact the world for Jesus Christ - on one mission for over 60 years; US Christian Athletes Association: using athletic events to help mentor and evangelize student athletes, coaches and spectators for Jesus Christ; Other Groups: Southeastern Christian actors & filmmakers and the Christian Filmmakers & Actors Network.
March 9th - Secular Music, Film, Theater, Sports Celebrities
Prayer Points/Scriptures: Musicians – Salvation; more songs pure, inspire, encourage, express what we can’t but better, keep them from temptation; deliver them from evil, higher standards & morals in how they live and conduct themselves in performances [Ps. 68:25 & 1 Chron. 15:16]. Athletes – safety & protection, perform ethically, same sex only play in high contact sports, teamwork vs. self-promotion, ethical, moral standards, salvation, able to overcome temptations of fame, fortune & fans [1 Cor. 9:24 & 1 Tim. 4:8]. Actors/Actresses – salvation, able to play roles with moral standards, courage to say no to parts that promote evil, able to overcome temptations, balance family/work life, better role models, delivered from evil, protection from fans & paparazzi [1 Jn. 1:11 & James 1:22-25]
Personal Challenge: Pick your favorite unsaved musician, athlete and actor and pray for God to reveal Himself to them and deliver them from evil.
March 5th - Cable & TV Networks
Prayer Points/Scriptures [NLT]: Staff – [writers, directors, owners, costume, make-up, etc.] salvation, higher standards, believers share their faith; Christians pray together; model their faith; better morale, not fall prey to many temptations, lust of the flesh, eyes & pride of life. 1 Jn. 2:16
Parental Guidance Ratings – TV-Y; Y7; Y7FV; G; PG; 14; MA [V-Violence, S-Sex, L-Language, D-suggestive dialogue] Parents and viewers pay attention to ratings; have boundaries what not to watch; those rating the shows do so with integrity; children, teens and parents agree to discuss why shows negatively impact them. Col. 3:5-8.
Hollywood Prayer Network – more people commit to pray vs. complain; more join the network [it’s global]; more resources for those in the entertainment industry to stay pure; specific guides with prayer points that meet the needs of the entertainers/staff; model Christlike behavior among unbelieving entertainers. Col. 4:2-6
Personal Challenge: Next time you complain about a show, take the time to ask for forgiveness then pray for all those who put it together. Phil. 2:14 Do everything without complaining and arguing
March 4th - Award Ceremonies for Music, TV & Film
Podcast: Praying the Music, TV and Movie award ceremonies honor more godly performances and less evil.
Prayer Points/Scriptures: Repentance – 2 Peter 3:9; Salvation [could be prodigals] Ezekiel 11:19-20; discern what to watch/hear by the Spirit of God Romans 12:1-2; used to reach people with the Gospel; arguments upended with the truth 2 Cor 10:3-5; ceremonies that take into account children might be watching; higher standards Eccl. 7:5. Prayer challenge: pray for one artist or two that you have liked who needs Jesus and comes to know the Lord.
March 3rd - Museums
Prayer Points/Scriptures:
Designers – for Christian artists to be able to showcase work that causes the beholder to give glory to God for their skill and talent. For secular artists to create items that also demonstrate the handiwork of God and not for evil promotion. [Exodus 35:35]
Museum Managers – Would listen to their patrons, what’s appreciated and what’s not. Find sources to exhibit healthy work and skill, fostering creativity in the visitor, highlight the talents and unique designs, encourage understand of historical items, embrace cultural roots without denying the existence of God as the creator. [Prov. 19:20 & Matt. 10:33]
Artwork – People would not worship the created but instead appreciate the craftsmanship skill and gift [if good]; content would be holy not lewd or immoral; help understand history better & learn from it; see things from different perspectives [Rom. 1:25]
Personal Challenge: Look for a museum in your city or nearby and find out what it exhibits – for good or evil. Pray for it to be used by God to help people think about His handiwork. If it’s historical, that people would learn from past issues and improve. If used for evil, pray for less visitors, people to speak up on of what they approve and disapprove.
March 2nd - Fairgrounds
Prayer Points/Scriptures:
Concerts & Shows – [strolling entertainers, clowns, jugglers, live bands; ] family friendly, G/PG rated; not risqué; Psalm 101:2-3; Livestock Show – [FFA and 4-H youth Jr. Livestock Auction select, purchase, feed, and groom livestock to be real life stock to be, graded and sold at fair; include steers, lambs, hogs, rabbits and poultry] Prov. 12:10
Exhibits competition – [Home Brew Contest, Preserved Foods, Home Arts, Ceramics & Plaster craft, all Crafts, Miniatures, Models, Collections, Fine Art, Photography and all Youth & 4-H] Ex. 35:10; Horse Racing - [Thursday through Sunday Live Satellite Wagering watch, bet live horse racing from all over the world in only simulcast wagering Facility in the High Desert region of California] Prov. 13:1; Wheel2Wheel Raceway is a 1/8-mile 7 degree banked oval dirt raceway located at the SBC Fairgrounds in Victorville. W2W races speedway sprints, dirt karts and mowers throughout the entire season. 1 Cor. 9:24 & Phil. 2:3-4
Personal Challenge: Whether you choose to visit the county fair or not. Take a moment to pray for it, when you hear it or others advertise. Pray for the law enforcement, the staff, the bodyguards, and all the young and old who participate in the events.
March 1st - Focus on Arts, Entertainment & Sports
Prayer Points/Scriptures:
Used for celebrating and honoring loved one's skills/gifts or solely for selfish pleasure? 1 John 5:21 keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
Is what you are watching healthy or tempting you to sin? Psalm 101: 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
Would Jesus watch this with me? Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Is it causing me to be addicted? My time spent foolishly? Or am I using it to fellowship with other believers, share the Gospel with people or simply have some clean fun? Titus 2:12 - Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
Personal Challenge: Identify how you participate in arts, entertainment and/or sports. Which ones are solely for pleasure, and which ones can you minister to people? Allow the Holy Spirit to shine light on your involvement with them; what to keep, what to discard. What to moderate.
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