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At the January 31 event at Hollywood Presbyterian, a group of about 30 writers, actors, and other industry-friendly people braved the Thursday night Hollywood traffic (heightened by the Clinton-Obama debate down the street at the Kodak Theater) to come to a one-hour service of ministry to and prayer for Hollywood.

Eric Bryant, pastor from Mosaic, delivered a message about how "we can know that the future can be better than what we're going through now," and that we shouldn't be paralyzed by our painful pasts, present disappointments, and fears of the future. He said that Christians—even in their own suffering—have to step up and offer comfort to those who are hurting. During a small group prayer time, Bryant called for prayer for all those suffering from the effects of the strike, but also for those who are just in need of love, like Britney Spears or Heath Ledger's family.

"There are people out there that—if we [as Christians] don't get out of bed—will not be helped," said Bryant. "Our chief question should not be one of blame or pity, but 'who out there needs a hug?'"

for this week's meeting—slated for Thursday—screenwriter and former Act One Director Barbara Nicolosi will deliver a "penitential-themed" message to the group, in the spirit of Ash Wednesday.

"We decided to have a night to repent as members of this large industry for our own individual small failures of greed and fear, and then know that this would go up from our corner of the industry and maybe bring down God's mercy on the whole town," said Nicolosi. "Christians in the business should be able to witness to both sides a way to get along together and make beautiful things without resentment and demonizing"—a pretty revolutionary concept, notes Nicolosi, for an industry conditioned to distrust and blame. "The idea of accepting the blame for the errors that we each have made because of our own greed and fear would literally strike people dumb."

Nicolosi finds it interesting that in the two weeks of concerted prayer efforts by Christians in Hollywood, more progress in WGA negotiations has been made than in the previous two months. When the strike finally ends, few in Hollywood will consider the possibility that Christians played—or, more accurately, prayed—a role behind the scenes.

But as Nicolosi and others like to think, "Maybe it was our prayer too."

Copyright © 2008 Brett McCracken , subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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