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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - APRIL 23, 2025
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Remembering His Holiness Pope Francis, Servant Of The Servants Of God
Pope Francis died Monday aged 88 following a battle with chronic lung disease. His is remembered as the first Pope of the Americas, and by his official title His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Servant of the Servants of God. Read more at Million Voices.
THINK.
- Million Voices CEO John Graves issued a statement on the Pope’s passing. We thought we’d share it with you today.
- With the passing of Pope Francis, millions of devout Catholics and Christ followers around the world are praying for the selection of the next pope. Pope Francis was incredibly controversial due to his stances that supported liberal positions, which upset traditional Catholics, conservative Catholics, and Catholic theologians.
- We should all join in prayer that whoever is selected will adhere to God's Word and the doctrine of the early Church. There is clearly a resurgence of Christ followers seeking the stability of the early Church fathers. Pray that the Holy Spirit guides the selection of the next pope, and that his leadership ushers in a renewed focus on God’s Word and a clear exposing of the evil spirits many refer to as the "woke mind virus," which is destroying marriage, families, children, and nations.
- God will build His Church, and we pray that we all stand with God the Father as His Holy Spirit reminds us of the words of Christ. Shalom - John.
PRAY.
Dear God, we pray that whoever is selected as His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Servant of the Servants of God, that he guide us in Your Word. We pray You work through him to ensure the protection of our most vital institutions, and to continue bringing Your light to those who seek it in the darkness. We pray this with nothing but unconditional love. In Your Name, Amen.
ACT.
The passing of the Pope is one of those events that makes many grow still. Our interconnectedness in the modern world exposes us to things our ancestors never would have learned unless their community came to them with the news. We often experience loss, shock, and confusion alone, gaining this knowledge through a phone or computer screen. It can feel quite disarming, particularly given the lack of control we have over such things. In times like these, we must be reminded of the importance of community, of reflection, and that even if we have no control, He does.
‘America Has Put Our Trust In God’: Trump Delivers Blunt Message To Those Trying To Rid US Of Faith
President Donald Trump delivered a series of notable messages and statements during Holy Week, but one in particular seemed to stand out to our audience at Million Voices: the importance of America’s trust in God. Read more at Million Voices.
THINK.
- “This is really — I hope — going to be one of the great Easters ever, because we have something going that I don’t think this country has seen in 100 years. And as we gather with family and friends, we’ll not forget the true source of our joy and our strength: America has put our trust in God,” Trump said during a Wednesday (April 16) prayer service and dinner, according to Fox News. “It will always be ‘In God We Trust.’ We will never change that.”
- Trump’s statements are significant as many experts have recently called upon him to take a more strategic role in protecting Christians throughout the world, not just here at home.
- In 2024, President Joe Biden used Easter Sunday to celebrate “Transgender Day of Visibility.” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said at the time that the Biden administration “has betrayed the central tenet of Easter — which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
PRAY.
Jesus, we thank You. You took our place and paid the price for our sins. You were buried for three days but walked right out of that grave! Because of Your sacrifice, we have eternal life by believing in You and following You as our Lord. We are transformed by Your blood that was shed for us. You save us and give us hope! Lead us to Your purpose for our lives. We praise You for it, Lord! In Your precious name, we pray, Amen!
ACT.
The emphasis on faith doesn’t have to end inside of your home or church. While many Christians feel that involvement in politics is not what is right for them, many of us are called to help shape a more Biblically-centered future for ourselves and the next generations. Even if you are not politically active, take some time to consider what you would like to see from America’s trust in God.
Experts Sound Alarm Over So-Called ‘Remarkable Religious Transformation’ Amongst One Generation
A study published in April (14, 2025) revealed that more and more Americans are leaving organized religions in favor of personal truths, a trend that seems to have experts like George Barna concerned. Read more at Million Voices
THINK.
- The rise in syncretism — the blending of different religions into a personalized form of faith — recently hit headlines after a shocking study from the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University found that most U.S. pastors follow this “hybrid worldview.”
- A more recent study led by Cornell University’s Landon Schnabel found this trend to be growing rapidly within at least one generation: Millennials.Schnabel and his co-authors studied 1,348 individuals born in the late 1980s from their adolescence through to their early adulthood, discovering that many managed their negative perceptions of religious institutions by creating their own types of spirituality.
- The authors noted how “shifting social values, including growing support for same-sex marriage” was one of the core things pushing many Millennials away from their faith, directly identifying mainstream society’s mass influence over shaping young people’s worldviews. They go on to argue this as a positive, as “these trends represent the individualization of American religion, a transformation that illuminates how personal quests for authenticity can fundamentally reshape the religious landscape.”
- Do you really want these young minds to control the future of our faith and nation?
PRAY.
Father in Heaven, Your name is high and lifted up today! We praise you! Thank You for loving us so well, Lord. Help us and all those who are so close to knowing You to lean into You in times of trouble and to seek You first in all we do. Light our path and guide us, and we will follow. In Your name, we pray, Amen.
ACT.
Millennials are something of an enigma to most other generations. They’re diverse in their thoughts to an extreme degree, but all seem to share a collective sense of cynicism about the world we live in today. You probably know, or maybe even are, a Millennial trying to find faith and place in a constantly-changing world. As each day presents us with many opportunities to share in His word, be sure to offer it to anyone you know who may be exploring their faith. You never know who you may help!
Viewers Call Out Netflix For Allegedly Editing Bible Verse In 'Passion Of The Christ'
A report published Friday detailed how viewers believe Netflix edited the opening of “The Passion Of The Christ” to remove a Bible verse. Read more at Million Voices.
THINK.
- Footage shared on social media appears to show two different opening montages to Mel Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster movie “The Passion of the Christ,” which told the story of Christ in the last hours before His crucifixion, the Christian Post reported. The theatrical release of the film featured a passage from Isaiah 53, which was written around 700 years prior to Christ’s time on Earth.
- The verse comes from the Old Testament and is said to foretell Jesus’ horrific death at the hands of humanity. Some say the verse is no longer read in synagogues as it is considered a “forbidden chapter within Judaism.”
- Some people tried watching the film and found the verse removed, while other versions still played it. One writer claimed this is far from the first time Netflix has been accused of editing movies, but the big question is why? We don’t have an answer for you yet, but we will let you know if/when we do.
- Does Isaiah 53 appear in your version of the film? Let us know today by emailing kay@millionvoices.org
PRAY.
Lord, I come to You seeking wisdom and clarity. Help me to quiet the noise around me so I can hear Your voice clearly. Guide my steps and give me discernment to choose the path that aligns with Your will. I trust that You see what I cannot, and I surrender my decisions to You. Thank You for being my constant guide. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACT.
Protecting our cultural institutions is probably one of the greatest areas of success we’ve seen in our faith in modern times. Thanks to major production houses like Angel Studios, almost every mainstream studio is calling for Christian content. Will all of this content be good? Absolutely not, but we are used to it, are we not? What are some of your favorite new forms of Christian content? Tell us today on social media, or email us at kay@millionvoices.org.
My Faith Votes— is a ministry that motivates, equips, and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, fail to vote in presidential elections. My Faith Votes is on a mission to change this statistic by helping Christians act on their faith and vote in every election. When we pray unceasingly for our nation, think biblically about the issues, and vote consistently in every election the impact of Christians taking action from the local to the state and federal level will be unprecedented.
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