Roma Downey talks 'good news' on TLC's 'Answered Prayers'
HOLLYWOOD ( Christian Examiner) -- Roma Downey, co-star of the popular '90s series "Touched by an Angel," believes prayer changes things. Her unwavering faith in God and the power of prayer led Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett, creator of "Survivor" and "The Voice," to produce "Answered Prayers," a new TLC show about prayer and its effects on people.
The six-part "Answered Prayers" which Downey hosts, features true stories of people who pray to God when they are in dire straits.
Two real-life stories are dramatized in each 60-minute episode.
In the episode airing Aug. 2, a teacher shares her experience driving over a collapsing bridge, and a Chicago woman tells how she found the love of her life.
Downey believes there's a growing audience for Christian-themed entertainment.
"The Bible," a mini-series she and Burnett co-produced in 2013, attracted around one hundred million viewers, according to Downey. This year, she and Burnett released "The Dovekeepers," a historical mini-series featuring four women whose lives intertwine at the siege of Masada in 73-74 C.E. Next year, the couple plans to release the film, "Ben Hur."
As for "Answered Prayers," Downey told Newsday the inspiration for the new show came one night as she and her husband watched the news.
"I know it sounds naïve," Downey said to Burnett that evening, "but it's just bad news all the time. Wouldn't it be great if we could start the good news channel?" She told Newsday she believed giving world-weary viewers the opportunity to experience inspirational stories would help renew their faith in God.
Speaking of faith, Downey told Newsday she believes God gives us powerful turning-point moments so we can rely solely on Him. "They come to us when we need them most and when we expect them the least. They are moments of divine intervention," she said.
Downey and Burnett established Lightworkers Media (www.lightworkersmedia.com), their own production company for faith-based works. Lightworkers Media produced "Answered Prayers."
Currently, the company's site features a link where people can share their inspirational stories about prayer. Prayer stories can also be shared with Downey at #miracleswanted and #AnsweredPrayers.
"Answered Prayers" airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. Eastern on TLC.
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