HOLLYWOOD, CA – A lot happened on that Church Youth Retreat when I was 9 years old.

I got to watch Mitch almost get electrocuted trying to wire a remote control receiver into the Girls’ light switch so we could turn the lights on and off at will. It backfired.

Later – through a mutual friend – I agreed to “go with” Tara which I think meant that we were boyfriend/girlfriend for an hour and 12 minutes before she dumped me — through the same messenger. Girls are weird.

Then at the end, when we were asked what God was putting on our hearts to be when we grew up I wrote these two words:

“Entertainment Industry”

And by that time the next year, at age 10, I was the VP of Development at Disney.

No, not really. But how cool would that have been? WRONG! That would have been horrible, what’s wrong with you?! I wasn’t prepared for puberty, much less executive level decision making!

Anyway, it didn’t happen on my time-table, but thirty-three years later I have arrived in Hollywood. The Entertainment Industry, at last!

Devon Franklin can relate. He wanted to start his own Production Company when he graduated High School at age 18. He is now 36 and has just left a lucrative position as a Sony Executive with some amazing Film credits under his belt to begin Franklin Entertainment — his own production company!

“So many people want the elevator. Take me up there fast. Straight to the top,” DeVon says. Then he hammers in this truth, “God says you can wait for the elevator all day and it may never arrive; or you can take the stairs and start climbing today.”

Now, if I were God, I would have put me to work in LA immediately making just under 7 figures on a 12 picture development deal. But He hasn’t done that, yet. Spielberg has yet to call me. And nobody will tell me when I get my Star put on the walk of fame. I mean, is that week 5? Or 6?

No, instead, for the last three weeks I’ve been meeting with Christians in the industry. Actors, Editors, Producers, Film Instructors, TV Writers, Executives, Show Runners, etc. God’s people are everywhere! And then I hit the motherlode!

The Hollywood Prayer Network.

Founded by Karen Covell in 2003, this group began as a resource for entertainment professionals in the faith-based community; it equips creative artists and professionals to thrive personally and professionally in the arts, media, and entertainment industries.

And it just so happened they were partnering with “The National Day of Prayer” group for an event called “The Summons.” For 5 days in Hollywood, strategic prayer partners from all over the US met with Hollywood Insiders to hear how God is moving in the Film and TV industry. The goal was not just to be blown away by Tinseltown stories and testimonies, but so that they could come alongside these Hollywood professionals to support them in prayer and intercession.

Now, there are people who pray, and then there are Prayer Warriors. Just like there are people who play paintball in the woods, and there is Seal Team 6. You must imagine that this group that gathered from across the United States was the Seal Team 6 of Intercessors. A Task Force of Prayer Ninjas headed up by Shirley Dobson.

Everyone was encouraged to hear that when The Hollywood Prayer Network began, they were able to find about 8 Christians around Hollywood. Today there are over 10,000. That is quite a remnant the Lord has established.

“You know it surprises me how many Christians are in the industry here,” said Nathan Wisener from Colorado. “My mindset was that I didn’t think there was anyone out here. You know you’re always given the impression from other people that it’s a very dark place. But I came here and saw some light.”

Each of the Hollywood Insiders had stories about being involved in Projects that they initially wanted to run from, but told how, because they stayed, God was able to use them to change lives, redirect scripts and to be a shoulder to lean on for other crew members in crisis. Karen Covell, for instance, was mortified when she was assigned to Produce a one-hour TV story on Playboy Creator Hugh Hefner. But God had other plans.

It culminated with an interview in which the icon of sexual promiscuity told about being raised by harsh, distant parents who never told him they loved him. “His mother never hugged or kissed him, he said, because of her fear of germs.” In the opulent Playboy Mansion, surrounded by Playboy bunnies, the interviewers brought Mr. Hefner, clad in his black pajamas, to confess that “he’s still just a little boy trying to find love.” They exposed his futile attempt to substitute sex for love and the pain behind the Playboy façade, the God-shaped vacuum in Mr. Hefner’s heart (worldmag.com).

That interview which Hef described as “my favorite interview” opened doors for Covell to encourage him on a couple of different occasions. And baby steps like that are happening all across Los Angeles.

Dean Batali is a Television Writer and Executive Producer who wrote for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “That 70s Show.” He talked about being the Salt and Light described in Matthew 5:13. He explained that while Salt has healing properties, in certain instances its primary use is to slow down decay. His continued prayer is for the Lord to lead him to the projects where he can do good — and from SpongeBob to UpTV it’s been a fascinating journey.

Os Hillman is president of Marketplace Leaders, an organization whose purpose is to help men and women discover and fulfill God’s complete purposes through their work and to view their work as ministry. He explained how Christians have fled from the 7 Cultural Mountains for years: Government, Education, Media, Religion, Family, Business and Arts&Entertainment. Their absence has created a void that now requires agents of change — talented and Godly individuals to climb back up those mountains to lead and direct.

Many of the Hollywood Insiders talked about their daily struggle in the workplace to be a force for the good, the true and the beautiful. They discussed openly the resistance they received from their secular co-workers – which they fully expected — but also, surprisingly, from Christians across the country who attacked them regularly.

For example, despite the major miracle for Martha Williamson to get a show on CBS Network Television about Angels dispensing God’s love and mercy in every episode — “Touched by an Angel” — she got vehement letters from Christian brothers and sisters for selling out and for “hiding” Jesus and watering down the Gospel, etc.

In fact, what many of these Hollywood Insiders had found in their time in LA as they built relationships with Studios and Networks was that so many of the “anti-christian” voices in Los Angeles were people who at one time had been chewed up and spit out by the church.

Hm. Something to reflect hard upon.

So, after each Hollywood Professional had a chance to speak, the tables were turned and the Prayer Ninjas gathered around and went to work praying for each person.

“I’m a Lutheran,” one Producer joked, “I don’t know what to do!” and the team laughed and told her to just sit there and receive their prayers.

Another script writer admitted afterward that although he has been prayed for in the past, the three times he was prayed over at The Summons was unlike anything he had experienced before. With tears in his eyes, he thanked the group for their ministry, their encouragement and their Godly insight.

While one group of Prayer Ninjas sat in on various sessions, the others were sent out on buses to key locations around Hollywood, onto Studio lots, Scientology Headquarters, etc, just to walk and pray over the workers there.

“The hurts and facades of people are exacerbated in this city,” lamented Dr. Lou Shirey of Oklahoma City. “I think that’s what hits me so deep. A place of just insecure people who gathered together and if they can just hear the Good News of Jesus and have the security of Christ,” he paused here tearing up at the thought of it, “ah, it just hits me so.”

Another Prayer Ninja who was deeply impacted was Debbi Warthen from Oregon.

“I don’t have a TV. I’ve avoided Hollywood. Just have never really cared for the Hollywood scene,” she admitted. “When people would come down here I would pray that they wouldn’t. It was sin city. I never even thought of praying for the actors and the actresses.”

She came to Hollywood to transform the city and leaves, herself, forever changed.

“I felt the Lord leading me up to Universal City and was just walking around there by myself and praying with people and the Lord was speaking to me,” here she began to get choked up, “not to lose this. ‘Debbie, you’re to take this back with you. You are to take this back and let your people know the need for prayer here in Hollywood.’”

She found a good price on an “I Love Hollywood” t-shirt and bought it and put it on immediately. But, Debbie already knows how her religious friends back home will react when she comes home wearing this shirt.

“People are gonna say to me, ‘Debbie why are YOU wearing a T-shirt that says I love Hollywood? You have been so anti-TV!’ And I’m going to say, ‘Because God has softened my heart and touched my heart to know the battlefield down there and they need prayer. We need to stop judging the films.’ I’m going to give them what was given to me: ‘Sit there at the end of the movie and pray for every name that comes up on the film credits, don’t just leave!’

She smiled a huge, beautiful smile and you can only imagine that Oregon is in for a huge awakening when this Prayer Ninja gets back to town.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force considers this short term mission trip a huge success.

“Because what we found is that God is alive and well in this city,” said John Bornscheim from Colorado. “He is moving in the hearts of people. We’ve been in Studios where the Executives are Christians, where staff are Christians, to find out there’s 10,000 believers here who need us to come alongside and affirm them; letting them know that the Saints are going to be praying for them for the work that they’re doing here in the Tribe of Hollywood!”

Whew. And all of this barely even scratches the surface of what took place over the last 5 days in Hollywood, California. I came away from the event with dozens of new friends, 15 business cards and industry contacts, a to-do list as long as my arm and at least 5 Prayer Ninjas who promised to pray for me, my family and my personal Hollywood Journey.

Welcome to Hollywood.

###

___________________________________________________

About the Author:

S. David Acuff currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Visionary. Filmmaker. Screenwriter. Lip Trumpeter. Character voices. Blogateer. All for one and one for all and 3 for a dollar!

imdb.me/davidacuff

Watch The Summons: Hollywood LIVE webcast, October 1-5, and join with prayer leaders from around the nation as we unite in prayer for America's Media and Entertainment.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force is pleased to launch a new email series called My Prayer from Mrs. Shirley Dobson - designed to give us focus as we gather in One Voice to intercede for our nation. Below is a sample. If you are not signed up to receive this email series, then click here to sign-up today.

 

Dozens of entertainment veterans and Christian leaders are joining a campaign to encourage believers to stop standing in judgement over Hollywood, and instead view it as a new Nineveh--a place that needs prayer, and a place where God can work wonders.

The Hollywood Prayer Network, founded ten years ago by entertainment veteran Karen Covell, is a nonprofit ministry devoted to getting Christians caring and praying for people working in the entertainment industry.

The HPN has brought over 5,000 Christians from across the world to pray for Hollywood, and most recently is partnering with the National Day of Prayer Task Force to host an event from October 1-5, 2014. The event, titled "The Summons," involves prayer ministries from across the globe which will gather in the media-epicenter of Hollywood, CA, to pray at studios, with media executives, actors, producers and more.

Speakers at the event include notable entertainment contributors including Columbia Pictures VP Devon Franklin,  film producer Ralph Winter (X-Men, Fantastic Four, Star Trek), screenwriter Melissa Glenn (Beauty and the Beast, Hawaii 5-0), producer Karen Covell, Reality LA's Tim Chaddick, author Os Hillman, Craig Detwiler, Dr. Larry Poland of Mastermedia International, pastor Kim Dorr-Tilley, Grace Hill Media founder Jonathan Bock, "Veggie Tales" manager Terry Botwick, television literary agent Michael Van Dyck, Oasis Church pastors  Phillip and Holly Wagner, chairman Shirley Dobson, pastor Shawn Bolz, Rabbi Jason Sobel, Dr. Kenneth Ulmer, director Rebecca Verstraten-McSparran, The Greenhouse President Shun Lee, producer Christina Lee Storm, comedian Dan Rupple, television writer Dean Batali, Harvest Prayer Ministries President David Butts, and Vice Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force John Bornschein.

People are spiritually dying in Hollywood

"People are spiritually dying in Hollywood," says Covell. "There's really no difference between a physical warzone and a spiritual warzone... Hollywood needs to be recognized as a place that needs prayer along with all the other places in the world. The wrong mindset is that because Hollywood supposedly has a lot of money and fame and fun and glitz, they don't need prayer. But I'm saying that there are broken, hurting, dying people here.People are spiritually dying, emotionally dying. The divorce and drug rate is horrible. The number of affairs, the domestic violence ... it's a terrible problem because it's a place of miserable, broken people."

During this time, prayer teams will be assigned to various parts of the city to pray over every key area of need throughout the region. Particpiants will have special access to behind-the-scenes areas including movie studios and will experience education on prayer, praise and worship, on-location gatherings of solemn assembly and more.

"It's important that Christians are here in Hollywood because if we're not here we leave this void, this hole-- and we can't expect people who don't know Jesus to act like they know Him," said Shun Lee, President and Creative Director of Greenhouse Productions.

"So our role as Christians in Hollywood, and why we need more Christians in Hollywood, is to help people understand who He is--to introduce people to Jesus."

"For too long, Christians have stood in judgement of Hollywood instead of really having God's heart for it and seeing it more like a Nineveh than Sodom and Gomorrah," adds actress Kirsten Roquemore.

To learn more about the Hollywood Prayer Network and register for the prayer event, visit their website.

"Hollywood entertainment industry is a mission field and Christians can impact this mission field through prayer," said Covell, "and prayer can change lives, which can in turn change the world."

By Leah Marieann Klett ([email protected])

President Barack Obama has proclaimed Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7, 2014, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. Read his proclamation below:

In the footprints of two mighty towers, at a hallowed field where heroic actions saved even more heartbreak and destruction, and outside a Pentagon wall where we have rebuilt but still remember -- in these sacred sites and in quiet corners across our country, we join together this week to remember the tragedy of thirteen Septembers ago. We stand with those who grieve as we offer some measure of comfort once more. We honor the courage and selflessness of all who responded. We reflect on the strength and grace that lift us up from the depths of our despair. Above all, we reaffirm the true spirit of 9/11 -- love, compassion, and sacrifice -- and we enshrine it forever in the heart of our Nation.

No matter how many years pass, we will never forget the innocent souls stolen on that dark day: parents, children, siblings, and spouses of every race and creed. Dusty helmets, polished badges, and soot-stained gloves serve as small symbols of those who gave everything so others might live. But the stories of all those lost and the beauty of their lives shine on in those they left behind. The sacrifice of so many has forever shaped our Nation, and we have emerged a stronger, more resilient America. We stand tall and unafraid, because no act of terror can match the character of our Union or change who we are.

Each year as our Nation mourns, our faith restores us and summons within us the sense of common purpose we rediscovered after the attacks. Prayer and humble reflection carry us forward on the path we travel together, helping mend deep wounds still sore from loss. These lasting virtues sustain us not just for one day, but every day.

On this solemn anniversary, let us reaffirm the fundamental American values of freedom and tolerance -- values that stand in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us. Let us give thanks for all the men and women in uniform who defend these values from new threats, and let us remember those who laid down their lives for our country. May our faith reveal that even the darkest night gives way to a brighter dawn.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7, 2014, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that the people of the United States honor and remember the victims of September 11, 2001, and their loved ones through prayer, contemplation, memorial services, the visiting of memorials, the ringing of bells, evening candlelight remembrance vigils, and other appropriate ceremonies and activities. I invite people around the world to participate in this commemoration.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA

John Bornschein

I am alive because of prayer.

Let me begin by taking you back to 1973. During that year, gasoline was 40 cents a gallon, the Sears Tower opened in Chicago, the U.S. withdrew its troops from Vietnam, Skylab was launched into space, Nixon declared “I am not a crook” during the Watergate hearings, Billy Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs during the Battle of the Sexes tennis match, and the Supreme Court rendered a decision on January 22 making abortion a U.S. constitutional right. It was also during this year that the course of my life was dramatically altered—before I had even taken my first breath.

You see, it was in 1973 that my mother, only a teenager at the time, fled for her life. She was running away from the sexual abuse she had endured at the hands of her stepfather. Living in perpetual fear, her only recourse was to run. She made her way to California where she found a group of other troubled teens. The leader of the pack was a smart but wayward mechanic who was also a drug runner.

Trouble is a magnet for the lost—an oasis to the broken. The group welcomed my mother, and she followed her angry heart into their open arms. The phrase “troubled-youth” does not adequately describe the rebellious outcry that became her defense against vulnerability. In her mind, she would never again be the victim. Yet in the midst of bad choices and a lifestyle that was sure to lead her to prison, she became pregnant. This seems to have been the inevitable outcome of this environment of “free love,” with an endless supply of drugs and alcohol.

Like so many others in her position, she made the only choice that seemed right—after all, how could she possibly raise a child when she couldn’t feed herself and had little desire to be alive? The man responsible encouraged her to abort the baby, and she did. The affects to her body were harmful. She bled horribly, and the scar tissue was severe. Suddenly aware of the brutal reality that she had just become the victim of her own choices, she cried out to God for help—a God she didn’t know and resented.

But this experience didn’t stop her from returning to the lifestyle she knew. It wasn’t long before she became pregnant again, despite the scar tissue. Shocked and disbelieving, she again determined to end this life interruption. But as she contemplated in exasperation, the God she had cried out to answered her. At that moment, she knew she had to take a stand. God had intervened. My mother made the decision for life and chose to carry her baby to term.

But here is the cold reality: There wasn’t a red carpet awaiting her when she returned home that night. There were no flowers in a thoughtfully positioned vase. No, there was only the reality that she was about to become a young mom. She still had no idea how she was going to make it through tomorrow—let alone the next day or the day after that. She had no support and no plan. But that wasn’t a problem for the God who had just touched her heart. He was about to make a way in the wilderness and I praise God for the pregnancy centers across America that are doing this service for women every single day. They aren’t just engaged in the business of saving babies—they are engaged in a business of saving lives by reaching out to the moms and dads that society has turned its back against. They are God’s hands in action, giving medicine to the brokenhearted and hope to the hopeless.

That’s only the beginning of her story. There were still more turns and twists to come, but God was present in each part of her journey. My mother decided it was time to move forward with her life. She moved, took a new job, and tried to create an environment suitable for her new son. She knew the best place for her son was at church and there just happened to be a small but growing church down the road from her new home, Teri Road Baptist Church. She contacted the church, acquired the van schedule, and prepared to send me off to Sunday school the next weekend. As much as she wanted to, she felt that she just couldn’t take those first steps into the church herself. She was too ashamed of her past. She was scared she would be judged and confronted, but she didn’t want those fears to hold back her son. Her strength and firm resolve against vulnerability would serve her well to push through those tough decisions. So, my mother did one of the bravest things I can remember: She walked with me right through the front doors of that little church. And you know what? Not one person put their finger to her chest and judged her for her previous life. No, the body of Christ acted as the body of Christ, welcoming her with open arms.

I have fond memories of Sunday School - of friends, fun, and stories of hope and redemption. I took home all of my art projects—those illustrated stories of Noah, Moses, and Jesus. My mom would take those projects into her hands, smile, and pull me in with a warm embrace. She would then put magnets to all four corners and proudly display them on the refrigerator. Little did I know that each weekend, those stories were opening her heart to God more and more. At just eight years old, I was an evangelist. As a result, my mother started attending regularly, gave her heart to Jesus Christ—and I accepted Christ right there with her. Eventually she became the church secretary, planned the youth programs, and even went on to work for Dr. Charles Stanley in Atlanta, Georgia. What a turnaround. Sure, she’d made some mistakes. But God had a greater plan for her life, and she took the baton and ran with it.

***

My family’s story is still being written, but we know that we have made the right choices—ones that we can live with for all eternity. The enemy tried taking life at every opportunity. He wanted my mother to abort me. But God loves life. He intervened at every turn when we submitted to His will, despite all odds.

Today, my mother is a devout woman of faith—truly a woman of prayer. She is married to a godly man, and because of her love for God, she has been a blessing to the entire family. Several people, including her mother, have given their lives to Jesus as a result of their relationship with her. Does she still hurt from her pervious decision to take a life? Of course. But God heals and forgives, and He never hated her for her decision. Instead, He bandaged her wounds, gave her love that she had never experienced, and honored His promise to give her a hope and future (Jer 29:11).

Just look at what God has done! In the midst of tragedy, one choice—a choice for life—was the first step on a path to complete transformation. That child that almost wasn’t, that almost-notch in Margaret Sanger’s belt, that “inconvenience,” is now a husband, father of five, pastor, teacher, ministry leader, and more importantly, a devoted servant of Jesus Christ.

God took what the enemy had planned for evil and turned it to good (Romans 8:28). He stopped the lava flow, and from the crusted surface, He brought forth a sprout of hope and restoration in my family legacy. Every conception is a life with limitless potential in the hands of a Holy God.

I shouldn’t be here today. My whole life is a miracle. And guess what? So is yours. Turns out my grandfather, who was a man of faith, had been praying for my mother regularly. He wept for her and always made sure to intercede on her behalf and I fully believe that it was his prayers the Lord answered that day when my mother was about to go back to the abortion clinic. You see, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16) and God heard my grandfather’s prayers. As a result I am here writing this to you today.

We all have a testimony, and like it or not, we have all been affected by decisions to take the life of the unborn. I am a pastor that was one decision away from never giving a sermon. Every child is a member of our society and abortion denies them a God-given opportunity to add their brush stroke on the tapestry of life.

We have to own the fact that when we made a decision for Christ, we embarked on a new path that puts the world behind us and the cross before us. We are no longer our own. We belong to Him. That means we must take responsibility for the impact our decisions are making on the future generations. We must own up to what is happening on our watch at this very moment. This is not someone else’s problem—it is our responsibility. We must not sleep until we have done all we can to alter the course of a society on the verge of genocide and self-destruction. Now it is time to live it.

Prayer is needed in America to restore the foundations of Christianity in our homes. Now is not the time to grow weary. Now is not the time to give up. We must not allow our prayers to diminish. Rather, we must amplify our prayers with persistence and perseverance. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:56). May our days be filled with praise and adoration for the King of kings. Let our faith be contagious with our passion of service, and may the joy of our love for Him fill our home and impact generations not yet born. We must be intentional for such a time as this.

- John Bornschein, Vice Chairman, National Day of Prayer Task Force

A wave of praise and petition began on August 30th from coast to coast! An outpouring of the spirit of the Lord upon His people is evident as a call to prayer is being heard across the nation in declaration of a new season of intercession.

“Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.” (Joel 1:14)

As we look at the challenges and perils that the United States faces at home and abroad, especially those of our military in harm’s way, we can find comforting assurance in knowing that God hears the prayers of His children.  Now is the time for America to unite in prayer (Ezekiel 22:30) so make plans to join us at the altar of praise.

Here are a few ways you can add your voice to the thousands being lifted unto the throne of the King of Kings (I Timothy 2:8):

August 30: The Supreme Day of Prayer (Washington D.C.)


 

 

 

September 1: Call to Prayer for Jerusalem w/ Anne Graham Lotz



 

 

 

September 2: Pray for America Tour launches (4,000 miles of prayer)


 

 

 

September 11: Cry Out America (Awakening America Alliance)



 

 

 

September 21: Pray With Youth (Pray for the next generation)


 

 

September 24: See You at The Pole



 

October 1-5: The Summons, Hollywood – (prayer for the media)


 

 

 

October 5: Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem



 

 

August 30, 2014, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

You are invited to attend a very special gathering of prayer to take place on August 30, 2014, at the MLK Memorial in Washington D.C. The 3rd annual Supreme Day of Prayer is a day when prayers of thanksgiving are offered from the spiritual landmark honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

During the 8-hour event we will offer prayers of reconciliation for race relations, prayers for peace and non-violence and for "brotherly love to continue" in the spirit and power of oneness in God as outlined in John 17. In addition, opportunities for artists to present their talents of music, spoken-word and dance will be presented.

Prayers from leaders across the nation and strong worship in music and the arts will fill the day with renewed hope, inspiration, tributes and most importantly greater faith in the power of God in our schools, nation and our world. The International Praise and Worship features Kunjalo from Cape Town, South Africa.

For more details, on how to participate, support and donate to this special gathering, visit the Supreme Day of Prayer website now 

- Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr. D.D.

On September 2, not long from now, the Pray for America Tour will begin and a team of prayer leaders from the National Day of Prayer Task Force will be traveling across the country to mobilize intercession for our great nation from coast to coast and we need your help. Last year, our team traveled 13,864 miles through 34 states and led 429 prayer gatherings in 412 communities. In total, 101,480 people took part in the tour and there were 9,945 decisions for Christ! So, needless to say, we have big expectations for the Pray for America Tour II.

Here is how you can help.

Join Us

1) PRAY: Join with us in prayer, every day, for 33-days to cover the team and all those participating. The Tour begins on September 2 in Orlando, FL, and ends October 5 in Hollywood, CA. So, please commit to pray during this time that lives would be changed and God would intervene across America. Click here for prayer points >>

2) ATTEND: If you would like to meet with us on location to pray, then click on the route locations on the map above. Not all events are open to the public, but there are still many options to choose from. Be sure to check back regularly for new event details. You can also follow along on Facebook by ‘liking’ us, checking for schedules and locations on www.commit2pray.com, or registering to join us in Hollywood at www.hollywoodprayer.org.

3) SPONSOR A MILE: If you have ever seen those “Adopt a Highway” signs on the interstate, then we are asking for your help to invest in prayer for our nation by sponsoring a mile. We will be traveling over 4,000 miles, covering every mile in prayer. A single mile costs just $9. Of course, if you want to invest in 3, 5 or even 10 miles, you can do so and know that our nation will be better for it. We need to raise $23,800 over the next 60 days to ensure we can make it on time to California where a 5-day solemn assembly will take place October 1-5, called The Summons. So, click here to Sponsor a Mile 

Then, share the vision with your friends and family via social media and word of mouth. Help us get the word out that a wave of prayer is about to begin on September 2.

Our special thanks to Champion Coach and owner Craig Dance for making this tour possible.

Kathy Branzell

 Spiritual Stewardship - Not Secular Slices


And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" 27 And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE." - Luke 10:25-28

Among my friends and family I am known as, “the Pie Queen.” I love pie! Fruit pie, cream pies (especially Key Lime,) Chocolate pie, cold, baked, even chicken pot pie. It is not that I have a big sweet tooth, nor is it is not that I eat dessert every day, or even every week. What I love about pie is that you usually eat it with people who are very close to you.

Think about it; you have probably had many business meals or “eating meetings.” Business breakfast, lunch and dinners are a part of my schedule every week; but dessert is personal, private, savored with the people you are closest to. A sweet slice and a great discussion is a great way to end a day.

Individual servings of pie come in a slice, you may desire the whole pie, but you are given a piece; a small portion of a big pie. Sadly, I hear many Christians talk about their relationship with Jesus as if it were a pie. Somehow we have taken the wrong mentality that our life is a pie and we slice it up between work, worship, family, recreation, rest, and other activities and responsibilities. As Christians we have adopted the wrong mentality and vocabulary of “spiritual” and “secular.” God does not see our life, the life He gave us, sliced up by spiritual and secular activities; it is ALL spiritual!

From our first thought in the morning to our last thought drifting off to sleep, we are consecrated and separated, “holy unto the Lord.” Now I know some of you are thinking, “I have to go to work 8-10 hours every day, or more; how can I dedicate ALL of my life to “spiritual” things? The man who asked Jesus this vital question about life in Luke 10:25-29 was a lawyer, not a religious leader. “What shall I do…?”

The answer is simple, we do ALL that we do; work, worship, family, recreation, rest, etc… with our heart, soul, mind, and strength focused on Jesus. Your place of business is your mission field; it is where God has placed you for His purposes to be fulfilled. We do not live to work: we do not even work to live. We live to live out our personal relationship with Jesus Christ at home, church, shopping, vacationing and at work. We do not slice off a portion of life and give it to God; He gets the whole pie! By committing to pray, and live out Christ’s character through the power of the Holy Spirit in ALL that we do, we fulfill the mandate to love the Lord with ALL of our heart, soul, mind and strength. We also open up every area of our life for His blessing. God is seeking an intimate relationship with you, not a quick nod at breakfast and out into the world we go. He desires to share wisdom, knowledge, strength, joy, discernment and direction all day. We are selfish, and foolish, when we think it enough to give God a slice of our life’s pie when He is the one who gave us the entire “Pie” to begin with. It is His…ALL His. Even the lawyer understood that life, even eternal life is an inheritance; a gift, that we cannot earn, but ought to steward well.

If you would like to find some more information about living out your faith at work, there are many wonderful Marketplace ministry leaders such as John Maxwell, Os Hillman, Ken Blanchard, Michael Anthony, James Estep Jr. and many others, who have written books, share at conferences, and even have daily devotionals or emails you can subscribe to.. Invest some of your time learning and listening about how to live your whole day and your whole life walking and working in the Spirit… nothing could be sweeter…not even pie. Know that I am praying for you!

- Kathy Branzell, Director