Tag Archives: Prayer

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2009 movie “The Blind Side”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. ¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. ¹⁸ Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon, Hebrews 13:15-19.

Biblical Connection:

After being homeless, Michael Oher experiences his first Thanksgiving with his new family. Unlike the other members of this household, he doesn’t know what to do. Subsequently, Michael sits down at the dining room table like a typical meal. In a nation with so many luxuries, this is the time to be thankful for the little things in life like food and shelter.

Thanksgiving shouldn’t be limited to one day in November. Rather, thanksgiving should be a daily act like using a gratitude journal to thank God for what most people take for granted. Thanksgiving should become a state of mind. One way to make this a reality is weekly unplugging from our culture and talk to our family without any distractions. Look, listen and learn this thanksgiving.

Closing Song:

The Director of Music urges the nation of Israel to be still before God in Psalm 46:10. When you add this to Jesus’ early morning practice in Mark 1:35, you’ll become aware of your own surroundings as well as the people in your spheres of influence.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1999 movie “Boondock Saints”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. ¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins, James 5:16-20.

Biblical Connection:

Starting in the third century, the church began to honor former martyrs of the Christian faith. Depending upon the denomination, a saint is an individual who makes a personal decision to be set apart from the world by dedicating their earthly life to fulfill God’s will. Hollywood uses two Irish Catholic brothers who serve as vigilantes in order to wipe out Boston’s criminal underworld.

The earthly brother of Jesus reveals a modern depiction of a saint in today’s passage. A saint recognizes their own shortcomings like the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15. This spiritual conviction ignites an active prayer life which seeks healing. On this All-Saints Day, a saint turns their attention to others, reaching out to rescue people from the same mistakes that they made in life.

Closing Song:

As 2025 closes the door to Halloween and October, turn you attention toward a spirit of thanksgiving. Today’s song serves as a catalyst for healing, away from sin and toward the Creator of the universe.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2010 movie “The King’s Speech”

Bible Verse of the Day:

A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. ¹⁸ Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” ¹⁹ “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” ²⁰ So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. ²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” ²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” ²⁶ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up, Mark 9:17-27.

Biblical Connection:

The King’s Speech follows the travails of King George VI. George’s stuttering is hidden from the public, reaching out to a speech therapist to prepare him for the most important speech of his life. Today’s scene serves as a disclaimer as the therapist reveals that he is not a doctor. However, Lionel uses anger and common sense to help King George find his voice.

In the first century, the mute and stutterers often accepted their condition as a lifelong hassle. However, when Jesus encounters a spirt which was robbing a boy of talking. Jesus provides a glimmer of hope by emphasizing the importance of belief. Immediately, the father of this boy asks Jesus to help him with his unbelief. This stage the set for the casting out of 2 demonic spirits.

Closing Song:

As a boy who stuttered for the first 21 years of my life, I understand the pain that this man’s son endured. However, when minds are open to the possibility of a miracle, doubt and impure spirits are the factors keeping the silent from discovering their voice. May today’s passage provide hope to the mute and stutterers in the world.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1980 movie “The Empire Strikes Back”

Bible Verse of the Day:

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. ²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” ²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:20-24

Biblical Connection:

In the context of Star Wars, the force that Yodi speaks of is a mysterious energy field created by life that binds the galaxy together. This metaphysical power begins in the mind of Jedi warriors like Luke as each is introduced to the force. Like anything in life, the spiritual energy in the force of Star Wars can be used for good or evil. Yet, without belief and faith, Jedis never reach their potential.

The force that John Mark speaks of in today’s passage is the power of the Holy Spirit. Since one of Jesus’ disciples compares the Devil to the father of all lies, John 8:44, seeds of doubt continue to be sown into the minds of human beings long after the fall of Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:6-7. Therefore, whenever you find yourself losing faith, cry out to Jesus to help you with your unbelief.

Closing Song:

One of my favorite lines from today’s song is that your past is a conduit for future success. However, you have to reach a point in your life like the father of this boy, you must confess your unbelief before your faith is fanned into action, 2 Timothy 1:7. May today’s message inspire you to come to life spiritually this spring.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1992 movie “Leap of Faith”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops, James 5:16-18.

Biblical Connection:

Steve Martin plays Jonas Nightingale, who makes a living travelling around America holding revival meetings. The only problem is that everything Martin does is staged, pretending to be faith healer, using all the tricks in the book to con the people attending his shows. After Jonas is stranded in a small Midwest town, he finds out that he can’t fool everyone. Once exposed, Jonas is overwhelmed by conviction and leaves his ministry. Picked up by a trucker, God answers the prayers of this farming community, ending a long drought with a long steady rain shower.

James appears to be quoting Isaiah 1:15-20. This is where the prophet Isaiah explains why certain prayers lifted up to God aren’t answered. However, when you spiritually wash and cleanse yourself by pouring out your heart to God through confession and repentance, this gets the Lord’s attention. Subsequently, when Jonas Nightingale realized that he was living a lie, fleeing the healing ministry that he built was a step in the right direction. While in this tractor trailer on his way to Florida, Jonas is moved by the rain which only God could send.

Closing Song:

Today’s song is one of my favorites for getting me into the proper mindset for prayer. If you find yourself wrestling with God, trying to figure out why your prayers aren’t being answered, start with confession and repentance. Then, maybe, just maybe, you’ll experience what Isaiah speaks of in Isaiah 1:16-18.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1971 film “Brian’s Song”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, James 5:13-16.

Biblical Connection:

Mekhi Phifer plays Gale Sayers during his rookie season as a running back for the Chicago Bears. The film Brian’s Song debuted as an ABC movie of the week which follows the relationship between two teammates, Gale Sayers and current running back Brian Piccolo played by Sean Maher. When Brian developed a cough and difficulty breathing in the fall of 1969, this led doctors to discover a grapefruit sized teratoma cancer mass in Piccolo’s chest. Subsequently, as Gale Sayers receives an award in today’s clip, his thoughts and prayers are with his friend who is fighting for his life.

As someone who grew up in the state of Delaware, the second highest rate of cancer deaths in the nation, I understand the helpless anguish that Gale Sayers endured as he watched his close friend die. One of my best friends from high school, Maureen, never completed her sophomore year of college before succumbing to cancer. As a high school Bible teacher, I lost two promising students who were champions for Christ before their lives were each cut short. The grim reality of life is that God doesn’t always answer your prayers. Sometimes death prevails which tests my faith as I press on and continue to pray for the living.

Closing Song:

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes daily to intercede and pray for those who need your help.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2006 film “We Are Marshall”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up, Deuteronomy 6:4-7.

Biblical Connection:

On November 14th, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed on approach to the Tri-State Airport in Kenova, West Virginia. This chartered flight killed 75 people, 37 of whom were players on the Thundering Herd Football team. Other casualties included coaches, scouts and staff from Marshall University. We Are Marshall follows the rebuilding of this team and restoring its program. Matthew McConaughey plays Coach Jack Lengyel who gives the pre-game speech before the final home game of the season. As this newly formed team remembers 6 of their former teammates, Coach Lengyel urges players to lay their hearts and soul on the line. This call to action culminates with “How you play today is how you will be remembered.”

From a spiritual perspective on the second Sunday of 2025, this is why Christians come to church: celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Unfortunately, to many of us, including me, don’t possess a sense of urgency to worship God like a football team eager to end their season with a victory. Perhaps. it’s time to re-evaluate where we stand as a follower of Jesus. Ask yourself, “am I pouring out my heart and soul daily? Is the love of Jesus, down in my heart, overflowing into my daily conversations and interactions with others?” If the answer is no, start every day like it’s your last. Pray to the Lord that How you live today is how you will be remembered by others!

Closing Song:

Use today’s church experience as a springboard to develop the mindset worshipping Jesus 7 days a week.

by Jay Mankus