Why pray for celebrities?

I am on staff at a house of prayer in Hollywood. Since we are located in Hollywood God has given us a mandate to pray for arts and entertainment. Part of this mandate is lifting up those who are in positions of prominence (celebrities). It excites us when we have a praise report, such as Kim Kardashian joining a Bible study, as members of our night watch were specifically praying for her. They had been led to utilize a few of their watches to focus on lifting her up to the Lord.

I was recently asked by a friend why we focus on celebrities instead of focusing on all people. The reason we pray for celebrities is not because we are star struck. The reason we pray for celebrities is because they are the influencers of our culture. They are the ones who control the literary expression of our society. If God can touch them their pulpit will be great. An example of this is gay marriage. Society is increasingly accepting of gay marriage since Hollywood continues to write TV shows and films that put it in a positive light.

A celebrity already has the pulpit to the nation. We can, and we do, pray for God to raise up preachers of righteousness. But what if God saved Tom Cruise? Can you imagine him on Oprah or Jay Leno talking about how amazing the love of God is? What if God saved Lady Gaga? She is incredibly talented and if God got ahold of her she would start producing uplifting music instead of the dark and sometimes demonic music she does now. An example of this is how God uses U2 to bring secular yet anointed music to the masses. Justin Beiber is incredibly popular and uses his popularity to share his faith in Jesus.

We don't pray for celebrities because we are star struck and want to count them as "one of us." We pray for them because they need Jesus just as much as anyone. There is so much pressure upon them and they are pulled upon by everyone. They can be so alone as they never know who their true friends are. Everyone wants something from them. And there is so much warfare over their lives. Many celebrities have large calls upon their lives- we must pray for them.

At the same time a house of prayer that ignores "the least of these" will soon fail. A holistic approach is important. We continue to pray for the homeless and outcasts of our society. Over Valentine's weekend a team of our women visited a number of the strip clubs in the city to drop off gift bags and pray for the dancers. The testimonies from that night were incredible. Christ focused on the broken and hurting. We must do the same. Whether that person is a confused disillusioned woman dancing in a nude club or a lonely and broken A-list star their heart needs Jesus all the same.