Influence and Faith: Navigating Voices in Times of Crisis

On August 27, 2025, a mass shooting occurred by an evil murderer who shot and killed two children and wounded seventeen people at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota. Heartfelt prayers flooded in for the victims and their families from across the country. Godly condolences, intercessory prayers, scripture-based thoughts, and an America united in Godly sorrow for the Minnesota community ravaged by the shooting. Then the media and popular politicians just had to chime in on the nation coming together to pray for the victims and the healing of the community. Their comments demanded the Christians and a praying nation to stop praying. Church, do we listen to worldly voices in a time of crisis, or only the Holy Spirit's voice? Most Christians will quickly answer only the Holy Spirit. But think about that for a moment. Church, are we going to stop and back down praying for people? Are we going to listen to popular politicians and media influencers with titles tell us their truths and take away ours? These politicians and media influencers are trying to preach and manipulate America to not pray. Citing, it doesn’t work, it’s a hoax, it is the problem, a waste of time, and there is no God. Jesus Himself has something to say about it. Oh yes, He does! He warns us and describes exactly who these people are and their agenda.

In this photo, a post by California Governor, Gavin Newsom, attacks prayer, saying, "These children were literally praying when they got shot.” Insinuating prayer is the problem. Prayer caused their death, and why would anyone pray.

In this photo, a media influencer host on the MSNBC Network, Jen Psaki (former Obama Press Secretary), also attacks prayer. She stated, “enough with the thoughts and prayers.” Further stating prayer does not work and abandon prayer. Really? Vice President JD Vance swiftly responded to discredit her godless ideology.

This is a tragedy that the devil is using to get Christians to stop praying. The enemy is manipulating the Christian community that will listen, to doubt their prayers. These are people that identify as Christians, but easily give in to strong influence, whether positive or negative. These people have itchy ears that cling to messiness. People that are not spiritually in tune with the voice of God but physically go to church. This group of people prays without accomplishing anything because of their lack of faith. Sure, we all lack faith at times, but this is just a warning to be careful who you listen to in a time of crisis. Have we ever said Jesus is Lord, which is great, but deny His power. Jesus gave this Christian community a title, The Lukewarm Church, a Church married to the World, and The Dead Church. Unfortunately, this group of people doubts their own salvation. Church! We can’t let that happen! We have to pray for them.

Jesus has something to say to Christians listening to media influencers, godless rulers, religions that deny Jesus, and anyone strongly persuading The Church to give up and modify our faith. Transforming ourselves over to their beliefs. In Mark 8:15 Jesus strictly says to us, The Church, “beware, watch out! Keep on your guard of the leaven of the Pharisees (religious leaders not aligned with Christ), of Herod (rulers like Gavin Newsom), and Herodians (media influencers like Jen Psaki).”

THEY ARE DANGEROUS!

Their corrupt influence, religious hypocrisy, and worldly influence is of the enemy aiming to destroy The Church. Seeking to recruit Church people over to the kingdom of darkness from the kingdom of Heaven. We can’t let that happen, as the reason for this message.

In a time of crisis PRAYER is the avenue to the answer, Jesus. Instead of listening to worldly influence, pray. Pray for the people in church that still have an ear that listens to worldly voices. Maybe that person is not you, but it might be the person sitting next to you in church. Pray for them. Yes, it is true. There are Church people married to the world, in and out of church not committed, and just sitting in church with a dead spirit. Let’s pray they AWAKE! TIME IS SHORT! THE ENEMY IS OUT TO SNATCH YOU FROM JESUS! Don’t you see, it is happening right before our very eyes. We cannot miss Jesus, his call to “come up here!” 

The meaning of leaven here does not refer to yeast in bread, but a person or group that is of strong persuasive influence that modifies, transforms, and permeates someone into their own agenda. These people have clout. Their social media followings and frequent appearances in the news give them the power to shape public opinion. They have a name for themselves. A lot of people listen to them forcibly or voluntarily. So, these strong-willed people think they can strong will you or your loved ones into doing what they say. It won’t work. We are not letting it happen. We are the Triumphant Church. We pray! We pray without ceasing. We move mountains. We pray intercessory prayers for all people. Our prayers heal, deliver, and save people. When we pray, we are unmovable, unshaken, and undisturbed. We know who we are in Christ. We conduct spiritual warfare and win. We are victorious in Christ. Our faith is mighty to pull down strongholds. We know Who the Mighty One is, JESUS! We know it is through Him all things are possible. We, The Church, change things through prayer, not the kingdom of darkness. We know the kingdom of darkness must bow to the throne of Christ. When the Church agrees together on any one thing when we pray, “Dark critics… Silence yourself,” it happens, in Jesus’ name.

We, The Church, are not silent. WE PRAY!

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, God bless you.

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Psalms 14:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 5:16; Matthew 5:44; John 10:10; Mark 8:15-21; Revelation 2:13-14; Revelation 3:1-5; Revelation 3:14-19; Revelation 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 18:19; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:4; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Mark 9:23; Philippians 2:10-11