Tipping the Scales
Week 2 Guide
Week 2
Lay down: the 24-hour news cycle
Pick up: a habit of interceding through the news
There is certainly nothing wrong with being informed about what’s going on in the world (in fact, this is a good thing), but the advent of the 24-hour news cycle has made a dangerous idol in the name of being informed. This week, rather than being consumed by the news, we are going to thoughtfully and prayerfully engage with the news. Dedicate no more than 30-minutes per day to reading the news from a reputable, non-biased source (refer to the guide to identify a useful source: stay in the green rectangle). Use the provided intercession guide to help you pray through what you read.
Lent 2021 Fast – Week 2 – 24-Hour News Cycle
There is certainly nothing wrong with being informed about what’s going on in the world (in fact, this is a good thing), but the advent of the 24-hour news cycle has made a dangerous idol in the name of being informed. This week, rather than being consumed by the news, we are going to thoughtfully and prayerfully engage with the news. Dedicate no more than 30-minutes per day to reading the news from a reputable, non-biased source. Use the tips below to help you pray through what you read.
Some tips for praying through the news
If you’ve never prayed through the news, here are a few guiding thoughts:
Limit your daily news consumption to one sitting that lasts no more than 30 minutes. You may want to turn off news notifications on your phone to avoid being sucked into “breaking news.” You may also choose to avoid social media.
Choose a comparatively unbiased news source in an effort to be shaped more by the Spirit than the spin. Use the provided media bias guide to help you select your source. Stay in the green rectangle.
Begin by waiting on the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to speak to you, to direct your attention, to teach you to pray, to fill you with His peace. Remember, prayer should be as much about listening as it is about speaking.
Explore different aspects of the news. Don’t feel like you have to stick to the big national or global headlines. Make your way to other (less headline grabbing) parts of the world, or peruse the local news. Just, whatever you do, stay away from celebrity gossip! Oh, and, no using this time to pray for your favorite team…
Pray your feelings. Throughout the course of your time, plenty of feelings will arise, many of which will be negative. When you notice yourself feeling something, rather than being consumed by that feeling, offer it up as a sacrifice of worship.
If you’re not sure what to pray and you don’t feel the Holy Spirit guiding you in a specific direction, pray the Lord’s Prayer over the news you’re reading.
Pay attention to any places where God might be calling you to be the answer to your own prayer. This is not to suggest that you are supposed to solve all of the world’s problems; however, there may be places that the Holy Spirit highlights where He is calling to you learn and engage.
End your time with thanksgiving. Find something to be grateful for. The news often produces anxiety, but as children of God, we must continually remind ourselves that anxiety is not the center of the universe. The goodness of God is. And, so we end our time with gratitude.
For families with kids
Parents, this week as you lay down the 24-hour news cycle, talk with your kids about what the “news” is. Explain that “news” is newly received or noteworthy information, usually surround current events. Share with them that as a family you will be choosing a few events to pray for this week. Invite them into this process. Then, go to Instagram and look up @goodnews_movement and have fun together read some of the stories.