A Call to Prayer for Mel Gibson, Jim Caviezel and the Passion Movie Sent in by: DWTUGGY@aol.com Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004

This is a prayer request coming from Rod Handley. Rod discipled the man who is playing Jesus in Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ" (Jim Caviezel) when he (Jim) attended the University of Washington. Rod just had a conversation with Jim and is passing on some prayer requests regarding the release.

Thought you would be interested in reading this and getting behind it in prayer.

Dear Prayer Partners: I have a very special request to make of you pertaining to the upcoming release of Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ" which will open nationwide on Wednesday, February 25.

Back in the late 1980's, I was on staff at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, WA primarily working with athletes at the University of Washington. Among the athletes, I discipled included two young JV basketball players, Erik Carlson and Jim Caviezel. Today, Erik is a successful financial planner and is one of our CTC (Character that Counts) Associate Staff members. Jim is one of Hollywood's young and rising stars, and he is playing the title role of Jesus Christ in Mel's movie.

This week, Jim and I talked by phone with the help of Erik who remains one of Jim's closest friends and his accountability partner. My conversation with Jim this afternoon was almost 25 minutes long. Jim specifically has asked for a lot of prayer because this movie is under attack as described below.

======================================= Death Threats Against Mel Gibson, Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in the Movie =======================================

I can't share all the details but I will tell you that there have been current death threats towards Mel, Jim and others involved in bringing this movie to the big screen. There are strong non-Christian movements which have arisen in recent days who are extremely hostile towards the Gospel. There are lies being circulated among the media pertaining to the film.

And there are even special interest groups among "Christian" leaders who are trying to remove certain aspects of the movie to better align themselves politically which would remove significant truth from the movie. According to Jim, the film is not yet in final form .... it is still being edited. Jim described an "intense" spiritual war which appears to be spearheaded from Satan himself.

======================================= Calling the Body to Pray for These Needs =======================================

He is asking for the Body of Christ to fervently pray for the following:

(1) Strength and physical protection for Mel Gibson (director); Steve McEveety (producer); Jim & the other cast members; and the team of editors and production assistants who are trying to finalize the movie in spite of the heavy spiritual warfare.

(2) For the Christian community to "show up" in force to view the movie and to invite EVERYONE to attend with them. Jim stated, "This movie has the potential to bring the entire world, including the non-religious to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ." (NOTE: Begin to pray right now for people you need to invite to see the movie with you).

(3) For the truth to be clearly communicated among the media, special interest groups, denominational leaders, etc. Because the film is in Aramaic, (There WILL be English Subtitles) even the Muslim community will have an opportunity to hear the message of Christ in a language which is common among many of them. This could have profound implications worldwide.

(4) There are some countries (France included) who are not allowing this movie to be presented to their people. Pray for a breakthrough into places where the Gospel needs to be shared.

========================================== What Did the Key Actor Learn when Playing "Jesus" ==========================================

I asked Jim about what he had learned through playing the role of Christ. He said, "Two words: Unquenchable Fire." He has a passion burning in his soul and believes this movie is the greatest movie ever made and it could impact entire nations, including those most hostile to Christ's message. Jim's prayer is that every person would view the movie for themselves and then make a decision about Jesus Christ.

Jim asked for my Prayer Team to be notified of these requests and for this information to be forwarded on to your specific prayer team. Jim is calling upon the Body of Christ to help thwart the attack of the enemy.

Please be fervent in this prayer on behalf of Jim.

Thank you for praying for this movie and specifically my friend (Jim).....

God bless...

Rod

Rod Handley Character That Counts http://www.characterthatcounts.org 816-525-6339

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebitfarm@itlnet.net), February 11, 2004

Answers

Is this a religious forum? I thought is was a forum relating to self- reliance. What other topics are covered?

-- Ben (sipaeepaul@wanadoo.com), February 12, 2004.

Actually this forum is about anything I want it to be about, as I am the forum owner. However, there are forum rules which you can read by scrolling down the opening page to the archive under "Forum and Admin". All of the forum rules are listed. However I reserve the right to ad rules when necessary for the comfort of everyone. I am a Christian, and as such I have always posted Christianity themed material and prayer requests.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebitfarm@itlnet.net), February 12, 2004.