A lot of Christian parents worry about the influence television has on their kids. But here's a way to turn that concern on its head: What if you encouraged your kids to be the influencers. Teach them how to influence television through prayer!

Last month at meetings of the National Prayer Committee I met Karen Covell, a television producer and director of the Hollywood Prayer Network. She told me about hundreds of intercessors who are literally changing Hollywood through their prayers. And many of that change-force are children and teens. The Hollywood Prayer Network produces monthly prayer calendars for children and teens to help them pray specifically for the people and events that shape television and the silver screen. For instance, this week children are encouraged to pray for Johnny Depp as he stars in the new Alice in Wonderland movie. And teens are encouraged to pray for those participating in the Winter Olympics. Nifty idea, isn't it?

 If you'd like to turn your kids into influencers instead of the influenced-upon, click on http://hollywoodprayernetwork.org/kids-prayer-calendar, download a copy of your free calendar, and help them become intercessors for Hollywood.

So it was fascinating for me to read this morning that my perspective-seeking conversations with God were nothing new. In fact, Rebekah did the same thing I did way back in Genesis 25.

It's a simple, matter-of-factly told incident.

"Isaac pleaded with the LORD to give Rebekah a child because she was childless. So the LORD answered Isaac's prayer, and his wife became pregnant with twins. But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the LORD about it. "Why is this happening to me?" she asked. And the Lord told her . . . " (vss. 21-23). You know the rest of the story, which isn't my point. My point is, she didn't understand what was going on, so without hesitation or acting like inquiring of the LORD was anything out of the ordinary, she simply asked the Him and expected Him to answer. And He did. 

To be honest, I don't always hear quite as immediately or as concretely as Rebekah did, but sometimes I actually do. And almost always I hear Him say something that lets me know He cares, He's at work for my good, and I can trust Him. Without fail, I'm always glad I took the time and risk to ask.

What about you? Wish you had God's perspective on the perplexing situations in your life? Why not take your cue from Rebekah and just ask Him: "Why is this happening to me? What's Your perspective on this, God?" Let us know how it goes.