In a time when media giants seem to make their attacks on Christian values as blatant, public, and unapologetic as ever, the idea of interacting with Hollywood in a positive way can leave us feeling conflicted, reluctant, or even angry. As film after film and show after show are released pushing anti-Biblical ideology, we often feel discouraged or lose hope all together.

But the real question is, do we stop watching? Listening? Scrolling? Buying concert tickets? Subscribing? If we’re honest with ourselves, most of the time the answer to these questions is no. While we may tailor exactly what we consume based on content, very rarely do our frustrations cause us to throw out the system altogether.

But before we begin to feel ashamed of this, have we ever considered that it may be a good thing? We are, after all, members of a society in which music, film, and television serve as primary mediums for exploring life’s questions and expressing values and ideas. If we are to be the salt and light of our world, is the solution really to alienate ourselves from the heart and soul of our society?

The Hollywood Prayer Network (HPN) is a Los Angeles-based ministry which aims to address this question for the American Church. Their solution, found in their name, is prayer. They challenge Christians to view Hollywood as a “Nineveh”, a place which can be redeemed, rather than as “Sodom and Gomorrah”, a place too far gone. In addition to serving the local church in Hollywood, HPN provides various avenues for Christians to become involved in prayer for the American entertainment industry and those who work within it, including live weekly prayer calls, monthly update emails, and even a prayer calendar for children.

HPN teamed up with a large group of local Christian ministries and churches in the greater Los Angeles area to create an estimate of how many Christians work in the Hollywood entertainment industry today. Their results? About 10,000. Who knew? Ten thousand self-proclaimed Jesus-followers all working in the same spiritually dark place, knowing that they will likely not be accepted or admired for their identification with the Church. That is something to be excited about! That is something to pray fervently for, remembering the Apostle James’ assurance that “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

This world is not our ultimate home; and yet we find ourselves placed here by God for such a time as this. As the Lord said to the Judean exiles through the prophet Jeremiah, “Build houses and settle down…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Hollywood is the biggest entertainment industry in the world, exporting to most developed countries. If we take seriously our Great Commission calling, it is not only permissible, but right and appropriate to be invested in the health and happenings of Hollywood. So rather than bury our guilt for still caring about what Hollywood is doing, let us consume with discernment and pray with hope.

For more information about the Hollywood Prayer Network, visit www.https://hollywoodprayernetwork.org or email me at jesusinlapodcast@gmail.com