The Power of Entertainment

In my role as an intercessor in the House of Prayer I have found that I have been praying for arts and entertainment more than any other topic. I don't have a personal call to that mountain. My passion lies more with business, government, and the church. But I believe that God is about to do something huge in the industry and that is why Hollywood, as the epicenter of the industry, is on the heart of intercessors from across the world.

The music and literature of a culture can shape it more than its government. Damon of Athens was a prominent musician and advisor to Pericles, the leading political figure of Athens, as well as a personal friend of the philosopher Plato. Damon stated the following "Let me write the songs of a nation, and I care not who writes its laws." Now obviously Damon, by his associations and influence, was not a mere ecentric musician who was dismissive of the power of government. He recognized the power of music to shape culture even more than the government structure that he was involved in.

Think of the sexual revolution of the 1950's and 60's. It was led by a movement of music celebrating love and sex without the commitment of marriage. The civil war and the movement to end slavery was accompanied by the Negro spirituals that cried out for freedom. The gang warfare of Los Angeles has a soundtrack laid down by rich rappers, many of them former Crips and Bloods themselves. Music foreshadows a cultural revolution and releases the spirit of the age. There is a power that it carries.

The literature of a culture reflects what it celebrates. Harold Goddard said that "the destiny of the world is determined less by the battles that are lost and won than by the stories it loves and believes in." What stories is our culture celebrating? Look at the films of the 1930's and 40's. Classics directed by Frank Capra and others celebrated the value of family and the joy that Christianity could bring. This was shown in the family values of the 40's. Today Hollywood tells stories of a selfish love- of men and women bouncing from one bed to the next. Some of the most popular genres of film celebrate a culture of death. Is this what we are loving and believing in?

I believe that God is shifting this. God wants to raise up His people in Hollywood who will tell stories of hope and love. Seabiscuit was one of these stories of inspiration. Movies like Superman Returns where Superman talks about the need for a savior even for those who don't think they need one. The literature of today is mainly television and films, it is the media that the majority of the western world consume the most. Literature is a mirror for how society and culture views itself. Music is a prophetic expression of where culture and society will be in a few short years. We need to pray for God to redeem those who are telling our stories and prophesying over our nation.

We are at a crossroads in America today. I believe that God is ready to pour out a renaissance and reform our culture. The question is whether we will engage with it or if we will condemn it. For too long the Church has abdicated its role to engage with the world and take dominion over it. We are now reaping the consequences. We must repent for our condemnation of media and speak life and blessing over the mountain of arts and entertainment. With the power of Christ we can retake this mountain.

The Anointing of Esther

Many prophets have been speaking recently about the call of Esther. Lou Engle has called for an all women prayer gathering and solemn assembly, this April in Dallas, which has been named The Esther Call. I have known those who have said that they had an Esther anointing. I did not know why that annoyed me at the time. Recently I have realized why. They understood the anointing of Esther as merely a special measure of favor before the king. That is part of it- but there is so much more.

To understand the Esther anointing we need to realize the position she was in. The Sunday School version of the story isn’t completely accurate. Esther’s ancestors had been forcibly taken from their homeland and brought in captivity to a foreign land. Esther was living as an orphan, cared for by her cousin. During this time the king was looking for a new queen and instructed his staff to search for the most attractive virgins of the land. Esther was one of those selected. She had no choice- today we would call this sex trafficking. Women were gathered from all provinces (127 provinces). We can only imagine how many young women were taken from their homes.

Once these women were taken from their families they would spend the rest of their lives in the king’s harem as concubines, one of them would be selected as wife and queen. Esther, along with the other women, spent a year undergoing beauty treatments. An entire year of rejecting her Jewish faith as her cousin Mordecai had instructed her to keep her heritage secret. After a year she was ready for her night with the king. One by one the virgins took their turn. The king would spend the night with these virgins to see if they pleased him. If they did not please the king they spent the rest of their lives as concubines who had had their innocence stolen from them. Since Esther pleased him more than any other virgin (this makes the TV show The Bachelor look like family fare) she was chosen as queen.

Esther had been queen for about seven or eight years by the time that Haman plotted to kill the Jews. Haman hated Mordecai because he would not bow before Haman. Once Haman realized that Mordecai was a Jew he hatched his plot to kill all of the Jewish people. The edict was issued and Mordecai sent word to Esther. He plead with her to go before the king to plead for mercy for the Jewish people. He spoke those famous words “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther and Mordecai both knew that going before the king without being summoned meant death.

But Esther called for a fast. She instructed the Jews of Susa to fast food and water for three days as she and her maidservants would do as well. This was a fast to the death. Three days without water is dangerous. But this was life and death for an entire people. The survival of the Jewish people depended on it. This was a fast for favor before the king; before the high court of the land. Esther went in with resolve: “If I perish, I perish.” Three days was also the time that Christ spent in the tomb. Three days of death to defeat death.

At the end of this fast Esther went before the king. He extended her the favor of his scepter- sparing her life. At this moment Esther invited him and Haman to a banquet. We are all familiar with the rest of the story. But what is interesting is during this time the king could not sleep, discovered a previous time when Mordecai saved his life, and decided to honor him as it had never been done. This further angered Haman. The spirit of Haman hates the people of God and he hates when they are honored. It is this same spirit that has come against the Jewish people throughout history and wars against the children of Israel and the Church today.

We see here how the power of this fast was what shifted the favor of the king. The anointing of Esther is one to plead life before the courts of heaven and earth. First she made her plea before the courts of heaven through prayer and fasting. Second, she made petition before the most powerful court of earth. What was written in the name of the king could not be revoked. He reigned from India to Ethiopia, most of the known world was under his control, the mightiest empire up to that point of history. The favor of heaven rested upon Esther and she moved the heart of the king.

The anointing of Esther is one of power, authority, and favor. The favor of heaven that is then recognized by the powers of this world. But this favor isn’t for just anything. This favor is for the cry of life on behalf of God’s people. Those who have no voice before the powers of this world. Esther is being raised up in this generation. She is going to be placed in positions of influence where her voice can be heard.

Arts and entertainment is one such place. There are many who will criticize Esther for going into those places. But it is God’s will and He will give them a grace for purity. God will raise up Mordecai to launch Esther into her position and to intercede for her protection. The Mordecai of old was never far from Esther- it was her who saw him from a distance in his distress. And these Esthers will be in their position for a time that we do not know. God will redeem the tribulation that they have been forced to undergo. He will take all of the injustices that they have suffered and use it to further His purpose.

The Esthers will cry out for life. They will cry out for freedom. They will cry out for mercy. They will cry out for those who have no voice. For the aborted babies, for the trafficked millions, for the oppressed peoples. And they will cry out for God’s people in the midst of persecution. God is raising up the Esthers! Let the anointing of favor fall upon those who will stand before the courts of heaven and earth. The favor that comes from bold obedience and courage. The favor that will rest upon those who fear no one but God.

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.

The Apostolic Worshippers

I write this after an amazing set in the prayer room. I want to thank Roberta Burke, for it was during her worship and our conversation that God revealed much of this.

God has been speaking quite a bit about the new sound that is arising. This is a sound of deliverance and hope. I'm not going to go into detail about this sound- that is the subject for another post. But He is raising up those who are going to release this sound. Many of them already carry this sound within them even though they may not know it. Even more carry this sound but don't know what it sounds like. All they know is that God has given them a sound. I call this the unseen sound. It is a sound that God has not released yet. It is residing in the depths of His worshippers ready to be released in its proper timing. These worshippers are pregnant with this sound as it is being brought into maturity.

For quite some time we have seen God's prophetic worshippers. Those who hear the voice of God and release it through music. Those who know the heart of God and express it through worship. But God is now raising up His apostolic worshippers. An apostle equips and enables people to live out their callings. A prophet declares destiny over people, organizations, regions, and entire nations. An apostle commissions regions and people to live out that destiny. An apostolic worshipper releases the sound of heaven, speaks destiny, and commissions the hearers to live out that destiny.

Theses apostolic worshippers will be exhibit the characteristics of the New Breed. They will have a power and an authority in all they do but will live their lives in humility. They stand upon stage in the largest of stadiums but will be nameless and faceless. When they worship the atmosphere will shift. In their worship we will see salvation, deliverance, and healing come to thousands of people at once. When they sing about rain the heavens will open. When they sing of the thunder of heaven there will be thunder in the natural. When they sing about the lightning before the throne of heaven there will be visible lightning here on earth. There will be instances when the stars will shine through all of the air and light pollution so that they will be visible as a sign.

These apostolic worshippers will move in the fullness of their authority. They will understand who they are in Christ. In Christ we are seated in the heavenly places. In Christ we have all authority on heaven and earth. Christ has been given the key of David. What we lock with the authority of this key will never be opened and what is unlocked will never be closed. What we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven and what we bind on earth will be bound in heaven. These apostolic worshippers will have a full revelation of this reality. They won't limit themselves to a here and not yet mentality. They will exercise all of the authority they have been given. And because of the faith that they have in the power, love, and authority of our Savior they will be able to do all things that they attempt. For they will be fully submitted to the will of God and will only speak when He says speak and will only move when He says move.

God is raising these ones up. God is preparing His people for the end-time harvest of souls. These apostolic worshippers are going to be a key component of the end-time revival. We are nearing the end. Prepare your heart for His coming. For He is preparing us who are going to usher in His coming. The call is going out. Who will hear this call? And who will respond?

2012: The Germination of a Dream

As I wrote previously, the first two months of this year are ones to wait on the Lord and receive from Him the strategies for this coming season. The month of March will be the time to march out. It will be a time of implementation. Behold, our high priest bears the key of David. What that key opens shall never be shut and what it locks shall never be opened. The Lord is releasing this authority to His servants during this coming season.

In March we will march out. As we go, authority will fall upon us. We will move into ministries that we never thought we would be able to do. We will move in areas that we previously thought we were inadequete in. It is for this reason that God is calling us into them. We will be moving in giftings we are not comfortable in. We will be forced to rely on the Holy Spirit completly. We will be perfectly yielded to Him since we will know that it is impossible on our own.

From March to April the seed of a dream that has been in us for years will start to germinate. In late April through early June this plant will start to bud and even flower. We are going to start to see the growth of our ministry and our dream. Ask the Lord to reveal more about what this dream is. Ask Him to show you what it means and the fullness of this dream. Ask Him for guidance and to show you what His plans are for your ministry. This year is very critical. You are building a foundation for the rest of your life. What foundation are you building for your life's work? Submit to what the Lord is doing in your life and the foundation will be strong. Don't fret about what it looks like now. Don't be concerned if it looks messy or confusing. It will be strong if you allow the Lord to build it.

This is a beautiful time in the Spirit. Enjoy this time. Enjoy this communion with God as He develops your dream and your vision. He is bringing all things into alignment.

February Newsletter

Matthew Prewett

Missionary to Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA

PO Box 3693

Hollywood, CA 90078

Email: matthewprewett(at)gmail.com

February 2012 Newsletter

This past month:

            This past month has been an adventure to say the least. I have transitioned into the house of prayer full-time, moved out of my previous place, was homeless for a week while crashing on couches (that’s a whole story in of itself), and then finally found a place to move into. But God has been good and I am enjoying a life of faith upon His provision.

            One of the highlights of this month was a prayer strike at the site of where the Watts riots began. Eight leaders gathered to ask the Lord to heal the land and to seek racial reconciliation in the city. One powerful moment was when I, a 6^th generation Californian of European descent, and a pastor, who had been raised in the Black Panther movement, looked into each other’s eyes as brothers. We asked for forgiveness on behalf of our communities, and prophesied over the destiny of the other.

            Something God has shown me was that He ordained California to be a state that stood for justice. It was established to be a beacon of purity and passion for the Kingdom. Sadly, over the generations that sacred charge was lost. It is my prayer that this heritage and birthright will be redeemed.

            This past week was the anniversary of the founding of Hollywood. Media reported on how it was originally founded to be a community where Christians would live in purity. The founder intended it to be a place free from the vices of the world. This was God’s intent for Hollywood. I believe that Hollywood can still become that shining light to the nations.           

Prayer Needs:

            Please continue to pray for my protection and purity as I minister. Also pray for a unity between staff members.

            I am considering launching a service at Radiance where I will teach about identity and destiny- so please pray for guidance and that I will be doing all things in God’s timing and not mine.

            I feel called to work on two books this year. One of them is based on the story of Anna the prophetess (Luke 2) and how she is an example of an end-time prayer and worship movement that will usher in the 2^nd coming of Christ. The 2^nd book is about destiny, spiritual heritage, and birthright. It will cover how to discover who you are in Christ, what you are called to do, and how to walk in the authority that He has given you.

Financial Needs:

            I still need to raise a team of supporters who can commit to funding me on a monthly basis so that I can focus on the ministry at hand.

            There are two ways to partner with me. The first is by one time gifts- the 2^nd is by committing to a monthly support amount. Any gifts can be mailed to (put my name on the memo line) to:

Radiance International

6121 Sunset Blvd, Studio 205T Hollywood, CA  90028

For on-line giving please contact me and I can give you directions for that. 

The Transported Worshippers

Last Sunday night I was in the prayer room leading prayer when God showed up powerfully. It was one of those rare instances when the authority of God is so strong that I was speaking as an oracle and His words were flowing out of my mouth before I had time to think. I was hearing them as they were flowing out for my mind was bypassed. I was prophesying over the city of Anaheim and the end-time revival that God is going to bring out of that place. Out of Anaheim is going to come a move of God that will initiate a revival that will go forth throughout the entire earth and not end until Jesus comes back. I am not the first one to prophesy this- it has been spoken about since the 1980's. But God had me reaffirming these prophecies, going deeper into some of them, and praying them forth.

Prophecy isn't merely given to us so that we can file it away in a "isn't that cool" box. It is given to us so we can pray into it. The Old Testament prophets prophesied the coming of Jesus but Anna and Simeon still prayed and fasted for it to come to pass (Luke 2). I feel that we are drawing nearer and nearer to this incredible visitation in Anaheim. We must pray for it to come to pass and that God wouldn't tarry any longer.

During this time of prophetic intercession God spoke that He is going to raise up 1000 Levitical worshippers within the youth of the Orange County region during this coming move. These are going to be ones with consecrated ears and hearts. Their hearts and ears will be attuned to heaven. They will play only the sounds that heaven is releasing. When they play hearts will be set free. Their worship will transform the atmospheres of entire regions. People will encounter the love of Jesus through their music and salvation will come.

Out of this legion of worshippers will be a company aged 10-14. Those who comprise this company will at times be caught up in the Spirit and transported to other nations (such as Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch). They will go in the Spirit where no American could go in the natural. They will be brought behind the Islamic vail and play in Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian occupied Israel, and many other places. They will be brought before kings and release destiny over them, their families, and nations. They will encourage churches in those lands. They will bring revival throughout the oppressed nations of Islam. Their youth and innocence will be their greatest strengths. They will posses a purity the earth does not know. And through them the Lord will establish His kingdom and make His people a praise throughout the earth. They will have been born into the supernatural so that they do not know the limitations of the natural.