Pray for AmericaSýnishorn

Pray for the Entertainment Industry

If Paul could spend time in our country and address us, how might he describe Americans? In Acts, we read how he did this in Athens, and the takeaway he shared with them was, "I perceive that in every way you are very religious" (Acts 17:22-23).

Perhaps, he might say of us, "I perceive that in every way you are very entertained."

We have movie theaters and concert halls for social entertainment and televisions and music devices for personal entertainment. We can play games with friends or alone on our phones. We can read books or listen to podcasts. We can compete in—or be a spectator for—a sporting match. There are countless unique toys for each age. Even aspects of life we don't usually enjoy, like advertisements and doctor's office waiting rooms, have a level of entertainment included.

Just like Paul describing the Athenians as "religious" wasn't a completely negative descriptor, so being "entertained" isn't wrong in and of itself. It's interesting because after Paul shared his takeaway, he proceeded to talk about the unknown and the known. That is also how we can examine entertainment.

Good comedy is at its funniest if you don't know the punchline. The climax of a gripping drama has the biggest payoff if you don't know how it will all work out. The outcome of a live sporting event is so impactful because the final score is unknown.

Conversely, our favorite songs are so highly esteemed because we've heard them countless times, and they still inspire us. After a rough day of uncertainty, replaying an already-beaten level of a game can repair our confidence. Even having a familiar show in the background can provide comfort in times of loneliness.

Today, pray for your entertainment through the lens of what is unknown and what is known. Ask God to show you what He wants you to know about yourself, another culture, another individual, nature, etc., through a good medium of entertainment. Also, ask Him to make it clear what is not worth knowing at all, or at least right now.

Finally, pray a blessing on those who are creating entertainment that truly reveals God's nature to others. Pray for the favor of getting their creation before more people and that everyone who gives attention to it will have an open heart to see their Creator.

Our greatest pursuits are to know God intimately and to make Him known. Some entertainment can be a help with that, others a hindrance. Ultimately, whether it's what we face every day or singular trials that may only strike once in a lifetime, we don't just need to be entertained, we need to be intertwined with God in deeper ways.