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Following is a prayer written by Mike Smith, editor of the Spartanburg Herald Journal dealing with the media.  It is a tremendous  statement and gives great perspective on the media and how we should respond to it. It is well worth your reading.

Lord, we thank you that we live in a nation with free speech and with a free press. We are grateful that our Constitution gives us the right to disagree and the ability to learn the truth about our society and our government. But we live now in a world that doubts even the existence of truth, in a society that constantly tries to redefine falsehood as truth.

The primary virtue in our society has become tolerance. We are tolerant of most activities and most ideas. Our culture values all ideas equally except the idea that some philosophies are wrong while only one is right. In short, we tolerate everything but the truth.

In such an environment, give the news media a renewed commitment to genuine truth rather than the fallacy that all ideas, concepts and philosophies are equally true. Let the media be dedicated to its role as a watchdog, not only of government but of all institutions and elements of our society. Help us to remember the difference between journalism and advocacy.

Lord, the traditional institutions of the media are crumbling under economic pressure. While some of us may be tempted to celebrate this destruction, the death of these institutions will leave a void that will be filled by less responsible avenues of information. Already, news outlets that seek to provide objective information are over-shadowed by outlets that seek only their own segment of our population and tell that fraction only what they want to hear. This divides rather than unites us. This often obscures rather than reveals the truth. And it furthers the antagonism in our society that demonizes anyone who disagrees with the prevailing views. Lord, give our people a renewed hunger for the truth rather than the confirmation of their own preconceptions and prejudices. You have told us that the truth will set us free. Too many of us are not interested in learning the truth and too few of us are interested in spreading it. Change our hearts Lord. Give our nation a true curiosity to learn the truth and allow those news outlets who reveal that truth to grow and prosper.

Lord, too often we see a media today that looks down its nose at traditional social institutions, at ethical standards other than its own relativism, at faith itself. Give those of us in the media respect for those institutions, values and faith. Help us to realize that God is not mocked, and when people of faith and devotion to you are denigrated that our society is harmed, cheapened and made a little more brutal.

Lord, give us a media that lifts us up rather than drags us down. Give us a media that celebrates the good rather than the evil. Help our media and our society to move away from the voyeurism and the celebration of degradation that characterizes much of our entertainment. Help us not to revel in gossip and the tearing away of others’ privacy. Help us to rise above an interest in seeing others debase themselves by surviving tortures and being stripped of human dignity. Lord, give us a news and entertainment media that pushes us to become better rather than to reduce us to our basest level.

Lord, make us a media that acknowledges evil but refuses to celebrate it. Make us a media that exults in triumph and perseverance and joy and virtue. Lord, make us a media that tells us what is happening and tells us forthrightly and honestly. Make us a media that not only tells us what’s wrong, but make us a media that also points us to whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. Let us report on what is excellent or praiseworthy as well as what is outrageous and shocking.
Lord, make us a media that acknowledges the worst in us, but refuses to wallow in that evil. Make us a media that encourages us to rise above that evil by also focusing on the best in us and celebrating rather than mocking the good.

Finally Lord, no news is as important as your gospel. We are all part of the media who should be spreading that good news. That is the only story that can truly change the world. Give your people a passion for spreading that news that dwarfs all other interests. In Jesus name, Amen.

Yesterday we talked about the story from 2 Kings 4 about the widow and the oil.  Many times it is hard for us to apply the truths of scripture when we look through the filter of a very complex society.  Rather than starting with our circumstances, we need to begin with the Word of God.  We saw several things in the encounter of the widow woman with Elisha.

First of all, no one is immune from pressure, whether it is financial or in any other area of life.  Being a follower of Christ does not mean that we are going to be spared any type of challenge or obstacle.  It does mean that we are not going to walk through it alone and He will be there to sustain us. We must depend upon Him rather than ourselves.  Remember, selfishness drives us from God but proper stewardship draws us to Him.

Secondly, God will always begin with what you have.   We try to work to put ourselves in a position to be acceptable in every area. But God wants to us to begin with what we have, and He will use that for His glory.

Thirdly, in the end it is all about faith and obedience.  Having the faith to trust the Lord and then the action of obedience, putting into practice the principles we find in His Word.

Very few people have a real understanding of what is going on in this world, but if we follow these simple principles, we can live above the fray and know the victory that is in the Lord. You will be surrounded by people this week that probably have no comprehension of these principles.  It is your responsible and opportunity to model and share these principles with them.

Yesterday the news was filled with information about tax day. Very few people in America could miss the fact that this day symbolizes the obligation that we have to support our government through taxes.   I saw somewhere where one poll said that74% of the American people felt that some of our tax money was being wasted.  No one likes to pay taxes because many times they are uncertain of the results. Like many people, I had to write a check this year.  It wasn’t a big one, but I had to write one just the same.  That’s not a fun thing to do, but the Bible is very clear that we are to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.  That means we are to fulfill our responsibilities even though at times we may be in great disagreement with some of the policies of our government.

The scripture also says that we are to render unto God what is His.  I am looking forward to Sunday for a number of reasons.  I am excited about the opportunity to be with God’s people.  I am anticipating the Lord doing something in the lives of people as we proclaim His word.  I am expectant that God will do something in the hearts of people as we proclaim the truth of His Word.  I believe people will be encouraged as they are a part of Bible Fellowship, discipleship classes and various other ministries.  I am looking forward to giving.  I give on a regular schedule.  I use the draft method that takes it out of my bank account the first of every month.  I like that because it puts the Lord’s work in first place.  But I also like to give on the Sunday after tax day.  There is nothing spiritual about it, it’s just a good reminder to me that just as I render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,  I need to render unto God that which belongs to Him. I have no question but that the money is going to be used to touch the hearts and lives of people and to share the gospel here and around the world.

I have had several opportunities this week through our ministry and other ministries we support to see the impact that our giving has for the cause of Christ.  There is a lot that I am looking forward to this Sunday, but one of the best things is the opportunity to give.  I refuse to look back and complain about what I had to do and instead I am going to look forward and be grateful to God that He lets me be a part of His work.

Today   the film Letters to God opens at Spartan 16 here in Spartanburg. It is a story of how a little boy, his family and friends handle a case of terminal cancer through their commitment to Christ. I had an opportunity to see the film and I highly recommend it.  It deals effectively with how a walk with God can impact those who are dealing with cancer and those that surround them. It gives a very clear presentation of the gospel and it serves as an opportunity to start conversations about the importance of a relationship with Christ.

Most people have either experienced cancer or had someone close to them experience cancer.  This film is extremely applicable to the times in which we live. I would encourage you to see the movie and to encourage others to see it as well during this opening weekend.

This provides an opportunity for Christians to make a statement with our entertainment dollars. That does not happen very often. Not only will you be able to see a good film that will be a great asset in your witnessing conversations, you will also be able to send a message to the motion picture world about the type of entertainment we would like to see.  We cannot complain about what is out there if we are not willing to personally support that which puts Christianity in proper perspective.  This film serves as an opportunity on a number of levels. You will find the film to be powerful, challenging, and encouraging. I certainly hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity. You can find more information at the website www.letterstogodthemovie.com.

On the Saturday before Easter, I had to go to a number of different places.  I was wearing a shirt that I had gotten as a door prize at a golf tournament.  It was a shirt that had on the sleeve a logo for Wofford basketball.  Everyone in this area was excited about Wofford being in the NCAA basketball tournament.  Everywhere I went, someone mentioned my shirt. People shared with me about how they had watched the game and about how they had followed Wofford. They asked me if I was a Wofford graduate or if I had gone to Jacksonville for the tournament game.  They assumed that I was a dedicated Wofford fan.  Don’t get me wrong.  I was certainly supportive of Wofford’s team and they had a great year, but I am not a Wofford graduate, and while I follow their athletic program, I wouldn’t be considered a rabid fan. The people I encountered on Saturday assumed that because I wore the label, I was completely committed to the Wofford basketball program.

Easter Sunday is the highest day of church attendance for the entire year.  People come to church on that day that never come at any other time.  I think it is safe to say that many of us come wearing a label trying to look religious or spiritual, and we hope people will assume we are right with God.

As followers of Christ, we must be more than just a fan.  It has to be a part of our life.  Sunday we had a tremendous celebration of Easter.  But in order for that celebration to be complete, we must do something with it.  People have to see that we love the Lord on other days besides Sunday.  They need to hear it in our conversation; they need to see it in our actions; and they need to discover it as they see our priorities.

Wearing a label, wearing a shirt, is not nearly enough.  We serve a risen Savior, and in the aftermath of Easter, we need to let the world know in every way that Christ is the answer.