ICF - Prayer Focus

Those who work in the world of sport.

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Professional Footballers, Cricketers and other professional sports players. Coaches, Team managers, Club secretaries, referees and ground-staff. Those who work in the governing bodies and professional sport Associations Staff at leisure centres, sports stadia, swimming pools, ice rinks and those who provide sport in the community. Sports scientists, sports injury specialists, team doctors and physiotherapists etc.

Loving God, we cannot fully explain the fascination that we have with sport; the elation that takes us over when our team wins or reaches the big final; the despondency we feel in defeat; the determination that grips the contestant to train, to improve and to win. The ball in the back of the net; the break-point; the slip catch; the sprint finish; the final pot, release an avalanche of human emotion that is way beyond the actions of which they are comprised. But we thank you for sport with all its thrills and disappointments, the outcome of minds and bodies that are of Your design. We pray for those whose occupation is in the world of sport, often placed on a pedestal of human expectation that is not of their own making, easily forgotten when hit by injury or a run of bad form, and often engaged in gruelling training that is far from the public eye. May the pleasure we all find in playing and watching, draw us close to the creator of all things. AMEN

Regular prayer for the world of work can be a significant feature in Sunday services. ICF seeks to provide a variety of resources to help those who prepare these. Prayer of this nature is important because:

  • It encourages Christians to see their working lives as part of their Christian Identity

  • It helps those involved in the world of work, particularly when their job makes it difficult to participate in church activities, to feel affirmed and valued.

  • It is a vital part of our intercessory responsibility to the community around us.

  • It communicates a faith that is relevant to real issues to those who visit our churches

Each week, we highhlight different groups of workers and encourage our members and followers to particularly pray for people who work in that sector. We also encourage local churches to include regular prayers for the world of work

As you pray, Consider what might be said in the context of thanksgiving, confession and intercession, both for the workers concerned and for those present.