Amongst Rugby World Cup initiatives at my church I have been running a small group for three weeks called “Born to Play – connecting sport and faith.” Based on a book, Born to Play, one of the areas we looked at is “talking to the coach” – in other words prayer – and what the right things to pray for as a sportsperson might be. For example, giving thanks for your sporting abilities, praying to handle both success and failure equally well are things that make sense, along with prayer for those we play with, in our clubs and even the officials!

A couple of emails from the UK triggered some further thoughts worth passing on:

1. This as part of Stuart Weir’s weekly sports email:
“Increasingly lately I have had the courage to offer to pray for people. Even in our secular society, I have received positive responses. I recently spoke to a senior administrator in the London Olympics who shared with me the pressure he felt in his workload and the long hours – adding that he saw no let-up until 2012. I have no idea if he has any faith or not but I offered to pray that he was able to balance family and work. He seemed grateful. In a month or so I will email to say I have been praying ”

2. And this as “A prayer for the Rugby World Cup” was from a minister in the UK:
“Eternal God, Giver of joy and source of strength,

grant to the people of Christchurch and all New Zealand a World Cup to match the spirit of faith and courage with which they have faced devastation and loss. We pray for all those involved,
that players, officials and supporters may join together in celebration,
through Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life. Amen.”

Your ongoing prayers for a successful RWC 2011 event and particularly for Martin Snedden, his organising team and staff – as well as for the players, coaches, support staff referees and volunteers – would be valued. Some of these people may well be just like the London Olympic official mentioned above and “feeling the pressure.”

– Andrew Kerr
Convenor, Christian Sports Network NZ